By Karan Puri
Godman Asaram, convicted for raping a minor girl from his own gurukul, has been granted a seven-day parole for medical treatment by the Rajasthan High Court due to prolonged illness. He will be taken to Maharashtra under police custody for the necessary treatment. This marks the first time in 11 years that Asaram, who is currently serving a life sentence in Jodhpur Central Jail, is given parole.
Asaram had recently complained of chest pain, following which the jail administration admitted him to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Jodhpur. After a medical check-up, he was hospitalised for treatment on 10th August. Reports suggest that upon hearing about Asaram’s deteriorating health, a crowd of his supporters gathered outside AIIMS.
The parole hearing took place in the bench of Justice Dr Pushpendra Singh Bhati of the Rajasthan High Court. After the hearing, the judge granted Asaram seven days of parole in police custody for treatment. It has been mandated that all expenses for Asaram’s treatment will be borne by Asaram himself.
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Asaram Convicted In POCSO Case
In 2018, a POCSO court found Asaram guilty of raping a minor and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
The incident leading to his conviction occurred on the night of August 15, 2013 at Asaram’s ashram in Manai, Jodhpur. Under the pretext of exorcising evil spirits, Asaram summoned the minor girl to his hut, where he threatened her and proceeded to molest her. A Zero FIR was lodged at Kamla Nagar Market Police Station in Delhi on August 20, 2013, and the report was forwarded to the Jodhpur Police Commissionerate West.
Subsequently, on the night of 31st August 2013, Jodhpur Police arrested Asaram from his ashram in Chhindwara. He was brought to Jodhpur on 1st September 2013 and has been incarcerated in Jodhpur Central Jail ever since.