Asaram Case: Life Imprisonment Upheld, Gangrape Charges Dropped, Immediate Surrender Ordered

In a significant legal development, the Rajasthan High Court has delivered its verdict regarding the self-styled godman Asaram, upholding his life imprisonment sentence. While the court maintained the primary punishment, it provided a partial relief by removing the charges related to gangrape. Along with this decision, the court has issued a stern directive for Asaram to surrender immediately. This order comes at a time when Asaram was out of prison on parole or interim bail, and the court's latest intervention necessitates his return to custody to continue serving his sentence.

Details of the High Court Verdict

The Division Bench of the Rajasthan High Court, comprising Justice Arun Monga and Justice Yogendra Kumar Purohit, presided over the matter. After a comprehensive review of the appeals and the evidence presented, the bench decided to uphold the life imprisonment sentence previously awarded to Asaram. However, the court noted that the charges of gangrape couldn't be sustained under the current legal scrutiny and thus removed those specific sections from his conviction. Despite this removal, the conviction and sentencing for other serious offenses remain unchanged, ensuring that the self-styled guru remains behind bars for the remainder of his natural life.

Acquittal of Co-Accused

In a major turn of events, the High Court provided significant relief to the other individuals involved in the case. The co-accused, Shilpi alias Sanchita Gupta and Sharatchand, have been acquitted by the court. Previously, the trial court had found them guilty and sentenced them to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment each. However, the High Court bench found that there was insufficient evidence to support the charges against them, leading to their complete exoneration in this matter. While they were already out on bail during the High Court proceedings, this verdict officially clears them of the charges.

Background of the 2013 Case

The case dates back to the year 2013 when a minor student from Uttar Pradesh leveled serious allegations against Asaram. According to the complaint, the minor was sexually assaulted at Asaram's ashram located in Jodhpur. The incident sparked nationwide outrage and became a high-profile legal battle. Following the investigation, the special POCSO court in Jodhpur delivered its judgment on April 25 2018, convicting Asaram and sentencing him to life imprisonment until his last breath. The trial court had also sentenced Shilpi and Sharatchand to 20 years each, a decision that was subsequently challenged in the High Court.

Legal Proceedings and Timeline

The legal journey of this case has spanned over a decade. After the trial court's conviction in 2018, all three accused filed appeals in the Rajasthan High Court. During the course of these appeals, the High Court had granted bail to Shilpi and Sharatchand, while Asaram remained incarcerated in the Jodhpur Central Jail. The defense argued that charges such as gangrape and human trafficking weren't proven and that the prosecution's claims lacked supporting evidence. Conversely, the prosecution maintained that the victim's statement and other evidence were sufficient to uphold the trial court's decision. The High Court began regular hearings in February 2026, explicitly stating that no adjournments would be accepted. The bench reserved its decision on April 20 2026, after the conclusion of final arguments.

Current Status and Security Measures

Following the announcement of the verdict, security arrangements around the court premises were Importantly tightened. A large number of police personnel were deployed to maintain order, considering the sensitive nature of the case and the large following of the accused, while asaram had been in Jodhpur jail since 2013 but had recently received interim bail from the Supreme Court on medical grounds, which was further extended by the Rajasthan High Court. With the latest order for immediate surrender, the focus now shifts to the potential for further appeals in the Supreme Court. This report was filed by Chandrashekhar Vyas.