The petition, filed on 21 November, had challenged the High Court’s decision to release Asaram on medical grounds while his appeal against his 2018 conviction remains pending. The apex court heard arguments from both sides before ruling that it would not interfere in the interim relief granted by the High Court.
The order records “Delay Condoned,” indicating the court accepted the petition despite it being filed beyond the standard limitation period. However, the remark “matter dismissed” confirms that, after evaluating the merits, the bench declined to set aside Asaram’s bail. All pending interlocutory applications, including those contesting the High Court’s order, were also disposed of.
Ahead of the petition being listed, Asaram had filed a caveat on 3 November through Advocate Nishant Bishnoi to ensure no order was passed without hearing him. The caveat was formally attached to the case on 24 November. The matter came up in the Supreme Court’s ‘Bail Matters’ category on 8 December, where Advocate Aljo K. Joseph appeared for the survivor.
Asaram, who is serving a life sentence, was convicted by a special POCSO court in April 2018 for raping a minor girl from Uttar Pradesh at his Jodhpur ashram in 2013. He was arrested on 1 September 2013 following a Zero FIR registered in Delhi and transferred to Rajasthan for investigation. The trial, which began in 2014, concluded with the court sentencing him to life imprisonment.
With the Supreme Court declining to intervene, the interim medical bail granted by the Rajasthan High Court remains in force. The main appeal challenging Asaram’s conviction will now continue before the High Court.
