Rajasthan HC grants 20-day parole to self-styled 'godman' Asaram
The Rajasthan High Court has granted a 20-day parole to Asaram, an 85-year-old convicted of sexual assault, citing his long incarceration and good conduct during previous interim releases. The court criticized the state government for failing to justify the rejection of his parole application.
Why it matters
The ruling underscores the legal complexities of parole rights for high-profile convicts and the judicial oversight of state government decisions regarding prisoner release.
The HC noted that he had previously been granted interim bail on several occasions and there was no record of him violating the conditions of bail, attempting to evade the legal process, intimidating witnesses during those periods.IMAGE: Self-styled godman Asaram returns to Central Jail after his medical bail ends, in Jodhpur, Rajashtan, August 30, 2025. Photograph: ANI Video GrabThe Rajasthan high court has granted 20-day parole to self-styled godman Asaram, who is serving a life sentence in a 2013 case of sexually assaulting a minor, saying the state government failed to justify its decision to reject his parole application.Key PointsA bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Sanjeet Purohit granted relief to 85-year-old Asaram, lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail, taking note of the duration of his incarceration and his conduct during earlier periods of interim release.The bench observed that Asaram has already undergone imprisonment for 13 years,…
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in