Supreme Court: The Division Bench of M.M. Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal, JJ. granted interim bail to Asaram Bapu, till 31-03-2025 in a rape case, where he has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
The bail has been granted after considering Asaram’s medical condition.
The Bench further directed Asaram to comply with certain bail conditions along with the condition to not meet his followers upon release.
In August 2024, while considering his application under Section 389(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (‘CrPC’) for suspension of sentence awarded by the Trial Court for the offences punishable under Sections 376 and 377, 354, 342, 357, 506(2) of the Penal Code, 1860 (‘IPC’), the Gujarat High Court dismissed the application for suspension of sentence, awarded by the Trial Court wherein he was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Asaram Bapu on the path of spirituality built his first ashram in 1972 and slowly the activities of the ashram spread over in the other field like Mahila Ashram, manufacturing of Ayurvedic medicines and other allied products, printing press, and gurukul and therefore, he was in limelight because of his religious discourses and other social activities and for maintenance of these, Sadhakas and/or Sevikas, joined with the ashram. The parents of the victim were his devotees and used to take visit at Surat Ashram. The victim rendered her services as a Sevika and stayed in the ashram. She was abused sexually and illegally confined by Asaram and others.
[Ashumal v. State of Gujarat., SLP(Crl) No. 15945/2024, decided on: 07-01-2025]
Source: Press
