No Relief for Asaram Yet: Supreme Court Seeks State's Reply on Plea Challenging Rape Conviction

The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear self-styled godman Asaram's appeal challenging his conviction in a 2013 rape case but declined to grant him immediate relief, seeking responses from the Gujarat government and the complainant instead.

A Bench of the apex court issued notices on Asaram's appeal against the judgment of the Gujarat High Court, which had upheld his conviction and sentence. However, the court made it clear that no interim relief, including bail, would be granted at this stage.

Supreme Court Seeks Responses

During the hearing, the Supreme Court directed the Gujarat government and the survivor to file their responses to Asaram's appeal. The matter will now be taken up after the replies are submitted.

The court's order means that Asaram will continue to remain in jail while the legal challenge to his conviction proceeds.

Background of the Case

The case relates to allegations that Asaram raped a woman disciple at his ashram in Gujarat on multiple occasions between 2001 and 2006.

In January 2023, a sessions court in Gandhinagar convicted Asaram under provisions of the Indian Penal Code, sentencing him to life imprisonment. The court held him guilty of rape, criminal intimidation and wrongful confinement, among other offences.

The Gujarat High Court later dismissed his appeal and upheld both the conviction and the life sentence, prompting Asaram to move the Supreme Court.

No Immediate Bail

Despite seeking suspension of his sentence during the pendency of the appeal, Asaram did not receive any interim relief from the apex court.

The Supreme Court's refusal to consider bail immediately means that the life sentence imposed by the trial court will continue to operate unless modified in future proceedings.

Asaram has previously approached courts on medical and legal grounds in various cases, securing temporary relief on some occasions. However, Tuesday's proceedings offered no such respite.

Multiple Criminal Cases

Apart from the Gujarat case, Asaram is also serving a life sentence in another rape case in Rajasthan.

The self-styled spiritual leader has been in custody since 2013 and has faced multiple criminal proceedings over allegations of sexual assault and other offences.

The latest proceedings before the Supreme Court are confined to his challenge against the Gujarat conviction and do not affect the separate conviction in Rajasthan.

What Happens Next?

The Supreme Court will hear the matter again after the Gujarat government and the complainant file their replies. The Bench will then decide whether to admit the appeal for detailed consideration and examine Asaram's request for any interim relief, if pressed during subsequent hearings.

Until then, Asaram will remain in custody, with his conviction and life sentence continuing to remain in force.