Asaram gets interim bail, rape survivor’s father says family faces increased danger:

With self-styled godman Asaram once again securing temporary bail, concerns over the safety of the rape survivor and her family have heightened. The father of the survivor, who hails from Shahjahanpur district in Uttar Pradesh, has voiced his deep concern, stating that Asaram “can do anything” to harm them at any time.

Asaram, who is serving a life sentence for the rape of a minor in 2013, was granted fresh three-month interim bail by the Gujarat High Court on Friday, citing medical grounds. This is not the first time he has been granted temporary relief, and the frequency of his bail approvals has left the survivor’s father feeling deeply unsettled.

The rape survivor’s father has expressed surprise and disappointment over the repeated granting of bail to Asaram, suggesting that the convicted godman is using his influence to manipulate the system.

“When Asaram was in jail, we felt we had won. Now, it seems he is managing everyone. I am shocked that the court is continuously granting him interim bail, first for seven days, then twelve days, for two and a half months, and now for another three months,” he told the Press Trust of India (PTI).

According to him, Asaram’s repeated temporary release from jail is not only alarming but also raises serious questions about the justice system. He further stated that despite being convicted of such a grave crime, Asaram is traveling freely, meeting followers, and appearing in different cities.

Asaram was arrested in 2013 following allegations that he had sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl at his ashram in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The case resulted in his conviction in 2018, when he was sentenced to life imprisonment under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Apart from this, in 2023, a Gujarat court found Asaram guilty of another rape case, where he was convicted for sexually assaulting a woman disciple at his ashram in Ahmedabad’s Motera area.

Despite these convictions, the self-proclaimed spiritual leader has managed to secure multiple bail approvals, which has left the victim’s family fearing for their lives.

On January 7, 2024, the Supreme Court of India granted Asaram interim bail till March 31 in a case registered by the Gujarat Police. As the deadline approached, his legal team moved the Gujarat High Court seeking an extension of his bail period for another three months, starting from April 1.

Senior advocate Shalin Mehta, representing Asaram, argued before the court that the 86-year-old godman was suffering from serious health complications, including heart and kidney ailments. He further contended that the only effective treatment available to him was through Ayurvedic ‘Panchakarma’ therapy, which had only recently begun at a Jodhpur-based Ayurvedic facility and would take another three months to complete.

Taking these arguments into account, the Gujarat High Court granted his request for a bail extension.

The father of the survivor alleged that their lawyer had betrayed them by failing to file an objection against Asaram’s bail plea, despite having all the required legal paperwork ready.

“Even after our repeated requests, our lawyer did not file an objection in court. Because of this, the court granted Asaram another three months of bail. We had signed all the necessary legal documents and handed them over to our lawyer, yet he kept delaying the process, making excuses, and misleading us. He has deceived us,” the survivor’s father lamented.

His accusations suggest that certain elements within the legal system may be helping Asaram, a claim that has been echoed by many who have followed the case closely.

The survivor’s father also revealed that ever since Asaram stepped out of prison, his devotees and supporters have been openly claiming that he would never return to jail. Their statements, he said, are now turning into reality.

“Despite claiming to be critically ill, Asaram has been moving from one city to another—from Jodhpur to Indore, then Ujjain, and Surat—meeting his followers. What kind of illness does he have? If he is sick, why is he traveling like this?” the father questioned.

This unrestricted movement, despite his supposed medical condition, has only increased anxiety and fear within the survivor’s family.

With growing fears for their safety, the local police administration has taken extra precautionary measures to ensure the protection of the rape survivor and her family.

• Shahjahanpur Superintendent of Police (SP) Rajesh Dwivedi confirmed that a guard has been posted outside the survivor’s residence.
• Two gunmen have been assigned to the family to ensure round-the-clock security.
• A CCTV camera has been installed in front of the survivor’s house, covering the entire premises to monitor any suspicious activity.
• Local Kotwali police have been instructed to conduct night patrols around the residence.

“Our officers are constantly monitoring the situation to ensure the survivor’s safety and well-being,” SP Dwivedi assured.

Despite being convicted in two separate rape cases, Asaram’s ability to secure temporary bail multiple times has left many questioning the fairness and efficiency of the justice system.

While his followers continue to rally behind him, calling him a spiritual leader falsely accused, the victim and her family remain in constant fear, worried that their long legal battle for justice may be undone.

As the three-month bail period unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Asaram will return to prison as mandated or if further legal maneuvering will keep him outside the jail for an indefinite period. For the survivors’ families, however, the fear of retaliation and harm remains ever-present as they cling to the hope that justice will prevail in the end.