The survivor in the high-profile Asaram Bapu rape case has approached the Supreme Court of India, seeking the cancellation of bail granted to the convicted self-styled godman. The 28-year-old woman has challenged the relief given to Asaram, 84, by the Rajasthan and Gujarat High Courts earlier this year, which was based on medical grounds.
Survivor's Petition Alleges Misuse of Bail
The petitioner's counsel presented a strong argument before the apex court, stating that Asaram Bapu has been traveling across the country despite claiming to be seriously ill. This conduct, the lawyer contended, clearly indicates that the convict is not in precarious health and has misused the relief granted by the courts. The matter is now scheduled for its next hearing on December 5.
Highlighting the contradictions, the counsel pointed to a medical board constituted by the Rajasthan High Court in August. This board reported Asaram's health condition as "stable" and stated that he did not require hospitalization. Furthermore, it was revealed that Asaram has not undergone any long-term hospital treatment. Instead, he is receiving Ayurvedic therapy in Jodhpur.
Timeline of Bail Grants and Legal Battles
The legal journey of this case has seen several developments in 2024. The Rajasthan High Court first granted Asaram a six-month bail on medical grounds on October 29. The court accepted arguments from his lawyers that his health required better medical attention outside prison, citing heart-related complications.
Following this precedent, the Gujarat High Court extended bail to him on November 6 in a separate rape case from 2002 pending in that state. This year's bail grants came after Asaram was first granted interim bail on medical grounds on January 7, which was later extended in July and then again in August.
Asaram has been incarcerated in Jodhpur Central Jail since August 2013. His conviction relates to the rape of a then 16-year-old girl at his ashram near Jodhpur. In April 2018, a Jodhpur court sentenced him to life imprisonment for this crime. His aides, Sharad and Shilpi, were given 20-year prison terms for their involvement. He also faces a separate 20-year sentence for the 2002 rape case.
A Life Lived in Fear: The Survivor's Ordeal Continues
The human cost of this prolonged legal battle was poignantly expressed by the survivor's father. He described a life of constant fear and surveillance for his family since his daughter's ordeal. "Our lives have been turned upside down," he said. "We live in constant fear, under the watch of Asaram's followers. Suspicious vehicles trail our car whenever we step out."
This statement underscores the ongoing trauma and security concerns faced by the victim's family, even years after the conviction. The survivor's move to the Supreme Court represents a continued fight for justice and accountability, challenging what she perceives as undue leniency shown to the convict.
