Asaram to Remain Out of Jail Until August 12 as Rajasthan HC Extends Interim Bail

The decision offers further relief to the 86-year-old, who has been serving a life sentence since 2018 in connection with a 2013 minor rape case.

A Division Bench of Justices Dinesh Mehta and Vineet Mathur granted the extension after hearing Asaram’s plea citing ongoing medical concerns.

This comes shortly after the Rajasthan HC initially granted him interim bail until July 9, and the Gujarat High Court also provided 30 days' relief on July 3.

Currently out of jail on medical grounds, Asaram left his Jodhpur ashram and reached his Motera Ashram in Ahmedabad on July 7. While he was originally expected to return to custody by July 9, the fresh extension now allows him to remain free until mid-August.

During recent hearings, Asaram’s legal team argued that delays in processing medical bail had cut into his actual time out of prison. They also noted that a NALSA (National Legal Services Authority) certificate confirming his age and terminal illness is still pending.

Opposing counsel raised concerns about the frequent shifting of hospitals, questioning why Asaram needed to travel when facilities like AIIMS Jodhpur and local Ayurvedic centers were available. They suggested that the movement was an attempt to prolong his release.

The Gujarat High Court, while granting temporary relief, made it clear that such extensions should not become an "endless process," referencing a recent Supreme Court directive discouraging repeated bail extensions.

With this latest development, Asaram will be out of prison for Guru Purnima—set for July 10—for the first time in nearly 12 years.