Gujarat High Court Extends Asaram Bapu's Temporary Bail Till August 21 In Rape Case

The Gujarat High Court on Thursday (August 7) extended temporary bail of Asaram Bapu till August 21, who was convicted in a 2013 rape case by a sessions court in Gandhinagar and is serving a life sentence.

Notably on July 3, the high court had extended Asaram Bapu's temporary bail for one month, after noting statement by Asaram Bapu's counsel that he wont seek further extension of temporary bail. The high court had then further clarified that further prayer for extension of temporary bail will not be entertained on medical grounds.

Pursuant to this Asaram Bapu had moved a fresh plea for extension of temporary bail. The extension application has been filed in his pending criminal appeal challenging the conviction. 

During the hearing today, a division bench of Justice Ilesh J Vora and Justice PM Raval asked about the order of the Supreme Court passed on July 30 in Asaram Bapu's plea against high court's July 3 order. 

Notably the Supreme Court had said that it does not find any ground to "interfere" with the high court's order; it had however granted liberty to the petitioner to approach the high court if his condition deteriorates. The Supreme Court had then said:

"However, liberty is given to the petitioner to approach the High Court, if the condition of the petitioner deteriorates after the impugned order passed by the High, Court in which case, the impugned order will not stand in the petitioner's way. As and when an appropriate application is filed by the petitioner, subject to the aforesaid deterioration in his health condition, we request the High Court to expedite the hearing. The Special Leave Petition is, accordingly, dismissed with the aforesaid liberty". 

The bench thereafter asked about the doctors reports and certificates. The State's counsel said that the applicant seems to have suffered from a cardiac issue in July. 

State's counsel said,  "let it be on 14th, my lord may extend till 14th. In the interregnum period I will get this verified…from both hospitals". 

The court however said that it shall extend it by further one more week after August 14. 

"Till 21st we will extend. Petition we wont dispose off. Then we will see what further development...By the time verify..." the court said.

In its order the court after perusing the Supreme Court's July 30 order said that the applicant is at present in the "ICU" and "according to treating doctor, his condition is critical". 

"In such circumstances, pending this application, the temporary bail granted earlier is extended till 21.08.2025 on the same terms and conditions," the court in its order said. 

The matter is listed on August 19. 

Case title: ASHUMAL @ ASHARAM  vs.  STATE OF GUJARAT & ANR.

CR.MA/3/2025 IN R/CR.A/607/2023