Asaram Misses Parole Deadline: Jodhpur Police Register FIR After Late Return to Jail

Jodhpur police have registered a fresh case against Asaram after he failed to surrender at Jodhpur Central Jail within the stipulated time following the expiry of his 20-day medical parole. The case was registered on October 27, 2026, after he missed the 5 pm deadline set for his return to prison.

Asaram reached the jail between approximately 11:30 pm and midnight, several hours after the deadline. He had travelled to Jodhpur from Ujjain, where he had reportedly been receiving medical treatment.

The incident occurred after the Supreme Court rejected his request to extend his parole on medical grounds and directed him to return to prison. Following a complaint from jail authorities, an FIR was registered at Jodhpur's Ratanada police station.

Police have initiated an investigation into the delayed surrender. As of Wednesday afternoon, October 28, authorities indicated that the jail had subsequently allowed Asaram entry.

Why Did Jodhpur Police Register an FIR Against Asaram?

The case concerns Asaram's failure to return to prison within the prescribed period after his temporary release.

The Rajasthan High Court had granted him 20 days of medical parole in August 2026, with the court subsequently directing the state to comply with its order. The Supreme Court later declined to extend his parole and directed him to surrender by 5 pm on October 27.

However, Asaram could not reach the prison within the specified time. Jail authorities subsequently filed a complaint, following which Ratanada police registered the case.

Assistant Sub-Inspector Bhawani Singh, who is investigating the matter said that the case has been registered under Section 58B of the Prisons (Rajasthan Amendment) Act, 2015, which deals with prisoners failing to surrender after their temporary release expires.

What Happened When Asaram Reached Jodhpur Jail?

According to media reports, Asaram travelled from Ujjain to Jodhpur by air ambulance after seeking additional time on medical grounds.

He reportedly reached the prison late on October 27, well after the stipulated deadline. Jail authorities did not admit him immediately because he arrived at night, when entry and exit procedures are restricted for security reasons.

He was subsequently reported to have gone to a private hospital in Jodhpur.

By Wednesday afternoon, police said they had learnt that jail authorities had allowed him entry. The investigation into his delayed return was continuing.

The sequence of events is important because the FIR concerns his failure to surrender within the prescribed time. His subsequent admission to prison does not, by itself, resolve the separate legal question arising from the alleged delay.

What Legal Action Could Asaram Face?

The FIR has been registered under Section 58B of the Prisons (Rajasthan Amendment) Act, 2015.

The provision requires a prisoner released on parole to surrender to the officer in charge of the prison when the parole period expires or earlier if directed by the competent authority.

Under the provision, a prisoner who fails to surrender may be arrested by a police officer. Upon conviction, the punishment can extend to three years of imprisonment, a fine of up to Rs 3,000, or both.

However, registration of an FIR does not mean that the accused has been convicted in the new case. The allegations must be investigated, and any criminal liability must be determined through the legal process.

Why Was Asaram Released on Parole?

The Rajasthan High Court granted Asaram 20 days of parole, taking into account factors including his age and the period he had spent in prison.

The court's August 2026 order followed a review of his request for temporary release. The Supreme Court subsequently refused to extend the parole period, requiring him to return to prison by the specified deadline.

Parole is a temporary release subject to prescribed conditions. It does not cancel a conviction or permanently release a prisoner from a sentence.

The latest FIR relates to the alleged failure to comply with the return deadline, rather than constituting a new conviction in the underlying sexual assault case.

What Is Asaram's Existing Criminal Case?

Asaram was arrested in 2013 in connection with the rape of a minor girl in Jodhpur. In 2018, a special court convicted him and sentenced him to imprisonment for the remainder of his life.

In May 2026, the Rajasthan High Court upheld his life sentence in the minor rape case while setting aside his conviction on certain other charges, including gangrape. The court also cancelled his bail and directed that he undergo his sentence.

Asaram has challenged his conviction before the Supreme Court. According to The Indian Express, the Supreme Court had indicated that proceedings on his appeal would continue after he surrendered following the expiry of his parole. The report listed the next hearing for November 6, 2026.

What Happens Next?

The immediate issue is the police investigation into Asaram's delayed surrender. Investigators will examine the circumstances surrounding his failure to reach the prison by the prescribed deadline and the complaint filed by jail authorities.

Separately, his appeal against the life sentence remains a matter for the Supreme Court.

The FIR marks a new legal development, but the outcome will depend on the investigation and subsequent proceedings. For now, the case centres on whether Asaram violated the conditions governing his temporary release by failing to return to prison within the required time.