Gujarat High Court grants relief to Asaram Bapu, suspends sentence for 6 months

In a significant development, the Gujarat High Court has granted a six-month suspension of sentence to Asumal Harpalani, better known as  Asaram Bapu, a self-styled godman convicted in a 2013 rape case. The court's decision comes after the Rajasthan High Court recently granted similar relief to Bapu on medical grounds.
The Gujarat High Court's bench, comprising Justices Ilesh J Vora and R T Vachhani, clarified that Asaram Bapu's six-month suspension of sentence is solely for medical treatment purposes, and his convictions and life sentences remain intact

Medical grounds cited for relief

Asaram Bapu's lawyers argued that his deteriorating health warranted a suspension of sentence. They presented medical reports to the court, highlighting his "almost vegetative state" and heart ailments. The Rajasthan High Court had previously noted that Bapu required specialized medical treatment which is not available in jail.

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Case background

Asaram Bapu, who once was a prominent religious leader, built a vast business empire and established ashrams across the country. However, his reputation was marred by allegations of sexual abuse and rape, leading to convictions in multiple cases. The 84 years old has been in custody since August 2013 and was sentenced to life imprisonment in January 2023 for raping a 16-year-old girl at his Motera ashram. The Gujarat High Court's decision to grant a six-month suspension of sentence has sparked debate, with the victim's lawyer arguing that the medical certificates did not indicate a critical condition.

The Gujarat High Court's decision will allow Bapu to seek medical treatment outside prison walls, but the case's merits will still be heard in court.