Supreme Court Allows Asaram To Engage Caregiver In Prison; Deprecates Obtaining Of Parole From HC By Suppressing Plea In SC

The Supreme Court today allowed self-styled godman Asaram, who is in jail following conviction in a 2013 rape case, to avail round-the-clock services of a trained caregiver of his choice.

While keeping his application for suspension of sentence pending, a bench of Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale further granted Asaram liberty to approach the Court again if his condition worsens. The bench passed the order considering a recent report filed by the AIIMS, as per which Asaram does not require hospitalisation for his ailments, but requires round-the-clock assistance from trained caregivers. Asaram was stated to be suffering from ailments such as coronary artery disease, thalassemia, osteoporosis, etc.

During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta pointed out to the court that Asaram recently obtained 20-day parole from the Rajasthan High Court (on medical grounds) by suppressing the present application. He stated that while the present case was suppressed before the High Court, the parole plea before the High Court was suppressed before the Supreme Court.

Surprised at the grant of parole by the High Court, Justice Sundresh remarked, "after our order?" On the petitioner's conduct, the judge commented, "It's not correct". Be that as it may, the application was adjourned, leaving it upon the petitioner to engaged services of a caregiver.

In June, the Court had issued notice on Asaram's petition against the conviction as well as application for suspension of sentence. Recently, it called for a report from AIIMS as to whether Asaram required to be admitted in a hospital or periodic medication could suffice.

To recap, a Special POCSO Court at Jodhpur had in April 2018 sentenced Asaram to life imprisonment for the remainder of natural life under Sections 376(2)(f) (rape committed by someone in a position of trust), 376D (gang rape), 370(4) (human trafficking), 342 (wrongful confinement), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) IPC.

He was also convicted for offences under Sections 5(g), 6, 7 and 8 of POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act.

In May 2026, the High Court upheld his conviction under the IPC offences (except gang rape and criminal conspiracy charge), but not under POCSO Act. Further, it acquitted co-accused Sharad and Shilpi— who were sentenced to 20 years in prison for allegedly playing an active role in the criminal conspiracy by facilitating the victim's meeting with Asaram.

Case Title: ASHA RAM @ ASHUMAL Versus STATE OF RAJASTHAN, SLP(Crl) No. 11761/2026