Rajasthan High Court Extends Asaram's Interim Bail In 2013 Rape Case Till May 25
The Rajasthan High Court on Wednesday (April 29) extended Asaram's interim bail up-till May 25 or up to the date the judgment is delivered by the court in his criminal appeal challenging conviction in a rape case, whichever date is earlier.
For context, a Jodhpur sessions court had sentenced Asaram to life imprisonment in April 2018 for raping a minor at his ashram in 2013.
A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Sangeeta Sharma in its order noted that the judgment in Asaram's criminal appeal has been reserved already by a coordinate division bench. It thus said:
"Having taken note of the fact that the judgment has been reserved on 20.04.2026 and written submissions have also been advanced, under the same conditions as laid down by us in our order dated 29.10.2025, which will apply mutatis mutandis to this order, we extend our bail order for a period of another one month, i.e., up to 25.05.2026 or up to the date the judgment is delivered by the Division Bench, whichever is earlier".
For context the high court had on October 29, 2025 granted six month interim bail to Asaram in view of his medical condition noting that he was in a "vegetative condition" and facilities required were not available in jail.
During the hearing on Wednesday, senior advocate Devadutt Kamat appearing for Asaram submitted that the appeal has been heard finally by the Division Bench of this Court and the judgment has been reserved. Written submissions have been submitted on behalf of the appellant. He submitted that the High Court had granted permission to file fresh application for suspension of the sentence, if for any reasons the appeal is not heard within the period of six months.
Kamat submitted that the appellant has argued the case finally within the period of six months, but time may be taken to pronounce the judgment. He submitted that for the said period, the interim bail granted by the High Court may be continued.
Meanwhile Additional Advocate General Deepak Choudhary appearing for the State, opposes the appellant's submissions. It was however submitted that if the High Court is inclined, the interim bail extension should not be for the period of more than one month.
The court thus passed the order and disposed of application for extension of suspension of sentence/interim bail.
Case title: Asharam @ Ashumal v/s State of Rajasthan
D.B. Criminal Misc. Suspension of Sentence Application (Appeal) No. 1837/2025 In
D.B. Criminal Appeal No. 123/2018