The Rajasthan High Court on Tuesday extended the interim bail granted to self-styled godman Asaram, who is currently serving a life sentence for raping a minor girl at his gurukul.
A division bench comprising Justices Dinesh Mehta and Vineet Kumar Mathur extended the interim relief until 12 August, citing medical reasons.
Asaram’s legal counsel submitted that the extension was in line with previous orders granted on the basis of his deteriorating health and continued need for medical attention.
Previously, the high court had extended his interim bail from 1st July to 9th July. The latest order extends the period of relief by over a month.
In a separate rape case, the Gujarat High Court had on 3rd July also granted Asaram a 30-day extension of interim bail. However, the bench in that instance firmly rejected his request for a three-month extension, clarifying that this would be the final extension.
The Gujarat High Court cited the Supreme Court’s recent observations, which cautioned against making temporary bail extensions a perpetual process, saying such practice ought to be curtailed.
Asaram has been out on interim bail since 14 January, following an order passed by the Supreme Court.
The 83-year-old has been serving a life term after his conviction in 2018 in connection with the sexual assault of a minor girl at his ashram.
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