Jodhpur High Court To Decide On Asaram’s Interim Bail Extension

The Rajasthan High Court’s principal bench in Jodhpur will hear the plea seeking an extension of interim bail for self-styled godman Asaram today.

A division bench comprising Justice Dinesh Mehta and Justice Vineet Kumar will preside over the proceedings.

Asaram is currently serving a life sentence after being convicted of sexually assaulting a minor.

Alleged Violation Of SC Conditions

The plea comes amid renewed legal scrutiny. During the last hearing on April 2, the victim’s counsel, PC Solanki, alleged that Asaram violated a Supreme Court directive that barred him from delivering sermons while on interim bail.

In response, the High Court directed both parties to submit affidavits.

Asaram’s legal team is expected to present its affidavit during today’s hearing.

Surrender & Hospitalization

On April 1, Asaram surrendered at Jodhpur Central Jail around 1:30 PM, following the expiration of his interim bail.

However, later that night at around 11:30 PM, authorities admitted him to Arogyaam Hospital, a private medical facility.

Officials have not yet disclosed the reason for his hospitalization.

Background Of Interim Bail

The Gujarat High Court had earlier granted Asaram a three-month interim bail.

Following the Holi vacation, his lawyer Nishant Borda moved the Rajasthan High Court seeking an urgent hearing to extend the relief, citing ongoing medical issues and unresolved legal matters.

Asaram had earlier filed a plea for regular bail in the Rajasthan High Court but later withdrew it, reportedly due to slim chances of success.

His legal team then submitted a fresh petition seeking an extension of his interim bail. At that point, the Rajasthan High Court directed him to first approach the Gujarat High Court.

The Jodhpur bench had scheduled the hearing for March 27 but deferred it, as the Gujarat High Court had not yet delivered its verdict.

The Gujarat High Court heard the matter on March 25 and reserved its judgment. On March 28, the court delivered a split verdict, one judge supported the bail extension while the other opposed it.

The matter then went to a third judge, who ruled in Asaram’s favor, resulting in a 2:1 majority decision that granted him interim bail.

In today’s hearing, the Jodhpur bench will decide whether to extend Asaram’s interim bail further, considering the alleged violation of Supreme Court conditions and his recent hospitalization.

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