Rajasthan HC Rejects Appeal, Upholds Life Sentence for Self-Styled Godman Asaram

The surrender of self-styled godman Asaram at Jodhpur Central Jail on Thursday marked a significant development in one of India’s most high-profile criminal cases involving a religious leader. A day after the Rajasthan High Court upheld his life imprisonment in the 2013 rape case of a minor girl and cancelled his interim bail, the 86-year-old returned to prison, bringing renewed attention to the long legal fall of a once-powerful spiritual figure.

Asaram arrived in Jodhpur amid a show of support from followers who gathered at the city airport. He greeted devotees and offered blessings from inside his vehicle before proceeding to his ashram in Pal village. After spending some time there, he underwent a medical examination at AIIMS Jodhpur and later surrendered before jail authorities in the evening.

The development came after a division bench comprising Justice Arun Monga and Justice Yogendra Kumar Purohit dismissed Asaram’s appeal against his conviction and upheld the sentence awarded by a trial court in 2018. The High Court also revoked his interim bail, which had previously been extended until July 7. At the time of the verdict, Asaram was staying in Haridwar, Uttarakhand.

While affirming the conviction for rape, the court granted partial relief by acquitting him of charges related to gang rape and gang penetrative sexual assault under provisions of the IPC and the POCSO Act. However, the acquittal did not alter the life sentence imposed for the rape conviction.

The case dates back to August 2013, when a 16-year-old girl accused Asaram of sexually assaulting her at his ashram near Jodhpur. Investigators alleged that the assault took place under the pretext of performing rituals to free her from evil spirits. The complaint was filed by the girl's parents, who were followers of the godman. The allegations triggered a nationwide controversy, leading to Asaram’s arrest from Indore later that year.

In its detailed judgment, the High Court made strong observations about the abuse of faith and authority. Referring to the survivor as a girl who had placed trust in a spiritual leader, the bench observed that her freedom, dignity and innocence were violated by “a man she regarded as God.” The judges also noted that devotees often follow the instructions of religious gurus without question, making them vulnerable to exploitation.

The verdict is being viewed as another reminder of the decline of several once-influential godmen who enjoyed vast followings and social influence. At the height of his prominence, Asaram headed a sprawling network of ashrams and educational institutions across India. His legal troubles, along with the later conviction of his son Narayan Sai in a separate rape case, significantly eroded that influence.

Asaram’s lawyers have indicated that they are examining the High Court order and may challenge the ruling before the Supreme Court . For now, however, the court’s decision has reaffirmed the life sentence in a case that has remained in the national spotlight for more than a decade.