New Delhi: The Rajasthan High Court has upheld the life imprisonment sentence awarded to self styled godman Asaram in a case involving the rape of a minor, while directing him to surrender immediately. The order was passed by the Jodhpur bench of the High Court on appeals filed by Asaram and other accused in the case.
A division bench of Justice Arun Monga and Justice Yogendra Kumar Purohit delivered the verdict after hearing the appeals. According to the report, the court acquitted Asaram and three other accused from the charge of gangrape, but maintained the conviction on other charges. The court’s decision means that Asaram’s life sentence will continue to remain in force.
The High Court also gave relief to co accused Shilpi and Sharatchand in relation to the sentence. However, Asaram did not get any such relief and has been directed to surrender without delay. The ruling is a major legal development in a case that has remained in public attention for several years due to the seriousness of the allegations and the profile of the accused.
The case relates to the sexual assault of a minor, and the trial court had earlier convicted Asaram, sentencing him to life imprisonment. The High Court’s latest order came after the convicts challenged the trial court’s findings and sought relief through appeals. While the court modified part of the case by clearing the accused of the gangrape charge, it did not disturb Asaram’s conviction under the remaining charges.
The verdict is significant because it reinforces the legal position that the conviction against Asaram remains valid despite partial relief on one charge. The direction to surrender immediately also indicates that the court was not inclined to extend protection or delay enforcement of the sentence.
For the survivor’s side, the order keeps the core conviction intact. For Asaram, the legal battle may now move to a higher forum if he decides to challenge the High Court ruling. Until then, the Rajasthan High Court’s judgment stands as the latest and most important development in the case.