The Supreme Court of India has granted interim bail to self-styled ‘godman’ Asaram Bapu, allowing his release until March 31, 2025, on medical grounds. However, the court has imposed strict conditions, one of which is a prohibition on Asaram meeting his followers while outside of jail.

Asaram, whose real name is Asumal Sirumalani Harpalani, was arrested in 2013 by the Jodhpur Police after being accused of raping a teenage girl at his ashram in Manai village near Jodhpur. The victim, a student from Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh, had been living at the ashram when the assault took place.

Having been in jail since his arrest, Asaram has faced significant health issues, including heart problems and a prior heart attack. Medical reports have highlighted his ongoing health concerns, prompting the Supreme Court to grant him bail on the condition that law enforcement officials will monitor him during this period to ensure compliance with the rules.

This decision follows just six days after Asaram was sent back to Jodhpur jail after a 17-day parole. In 2018, a Jodhpur court sentenced him to life imprisonment for raping the minor at his ashram. He was also convicted in 2023 by a Gujarat court for raping a woman at his ashram in Surat in 2013.

Senior Advocate Devadatt Kamat, along with Advocates Rajesh Gulab Inamdar and Shashwat Anand, presented arguments focusing on both the medical condition of the defendant and the merits of the case. They contended that Asaram's conviction relied solely on the testimony of the victim, without supporting evidence, and pointed out inconsistencies in the prosecution's case.
However, the Supreme Court made it clear that it would not examine the merits of the case or consider suspending the sentence. The Court confined its decision to granting bail solely on medical grounds.

Asaram has been seeking to suspend his life sentence, with the Supreme Court having earlier asked the Gujarat government for a response to his plea. In August 2024, the Gujarat High Court rejected his petition to suspend the life sentence in connection to the Surat case.

On April 25, 2018, a Jodhpur court found self-styled religious leader Asaram Bapu guilty of raping a minor and sentenced him to life imprisonment. Prior to the sentencing, Asaram had already been in jail for five years.