Supreme Court issues notice to Rajasthan government on Asaram’s plea against conviction

The Supreme Court on June 30 issued notice to the Rajasthan government on a plea filed by self-styled godman Asaram challenging the Rajasthan High Court judgment upholding his conviction and life sentence in the 2013 minor rape case.

A Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Sheel Nagu sought the response of the Rajasthan government on Asaram's special leave petition (SLP) against the May 27 judgment of the Rajasthan High Court.

During the hearing, senior counsel appearing for Asaram also sought his immediate release on medical grounds, citing his advanced age and deteriorating health. However, the apex court declined to grant any interim relief at this stage, observing that it would first hear the Rajasthan government's stand before considering the prayer for suspension of sentence.

The matter has been directed to be listed next on July 13.

Asaram has challenged the May 27 judgment of the Rajasthan High Court's Jodhpur Bench, which upheld his conviction and life sentence awarded by a Special POCSO Court in the 2013 case involving the sexual assault of a minor student.

A Division Bench of Justices Arun Monga and Yogendra Kumar Purohit had dismissed Asaram's appeal while acquitting co-accused Shilpi and Sharad Chandra.

Following the Rajasthan High Court verdict, Asaram, who had been out on interim medical bail, surrendered before the Jodhpur Central Jail on May 28 after undergoing a medical examination.

The case stems from allegations that a minor student of Asaram's Chhindwara Gurukul was sexually assaulted inside his cottage at the Manai Ashram on the night of August 15, 2013, after she and her parents were allegedly persuaded that she was under the influence of evil spirits and required spiritual treatment by the self-styled godman.

The Special POCSO Court in Jodhpur convicted Asaram on April 25, 2018, sentencing him to life imprisonment.

Asaram is also serving a life sentence in another sexual assault case involving a woman disciple at his Gandhinagar ashram in Gujarat.

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