The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday, June 24, issued notice in a plea seeking further extension of temporary bail for self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, who is currently serving a life sentence following his 2023 conviction in a rape case.

The Supreme Court had earlier granted Asaram interim bail on medical grounds till March 31. Following this, he approached the Gujarat High Court for an extension. While a division bench initially delivered a split verdict in March, the matter was referred to a third judge, who granted a three-month temporary bail.

With his bail set to expire on June 30, Asaram has now sought another extension. During Tuesday’s hearing, Senior Advocate Shalin Mehta, appearing for Asaram, informed the division bench of Justices Ilesh J. Vora and P.M. Raval that a certificate from the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) confirming whether he qualifies as an elderly and terminally ill prisoner is awaited. “We will get that in two days,” Mehta submitted.

The Court directed issuance of notice and instructed the registry to include the names of Advocate Ekant Ahuja and Senior Counsel B.B. Naik as appearing for the respondent-complainant. The matter is listed for next hearing on June 27.

In March, Asaram’s legal team had argued for a six-month temporary bail, stating that he required Panchakarma therapy—a 90-day treatment course. The High Court had, however, only granted a three-month relief.

Recently, Asaram’s son, Narayan Sai—also convicted and sentenced to life in a separate rape case—was granted five days' temporary bail by the Gujarat High Court to meet his father on humanitarian grounds, considering the latter's medical condition and the long duration of their separation.

On January 31, 2023, a Sessions Court in Gandhinagar found Asaram guilty of repeatedly raping a female disciple at his Ahmedabad ashram. He was convicted under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Sections 376 (rape), 377 (unnatural offences), 342 (wrongful confinement), 506 (criminal intimidation), 357 (assault in an attempt to confine), and 354 (assault to outrage modesty).

Case Title: Ashumal @ Asaram Thaumal Sindhi (Harpalani) v. State of Gujarat & Anr.
Case No.: CR.MA/2/2025 IN CR.MA/1/2025 IN R/CR.A/607/2023