Jaipur, May 27 (IANS) The Rajasthan High Court’s Jodhpur Bench on Wednesday upheld the life imprisonment sentence awarded to Asaram in the case involving the sexual assault of a minor student. While affirming the conviction, the court acquitted co-accused Shilpi and Sharatchand. Asaram, who is presently out on interim medical bail, will now have to surrender.

The verdict was delivered by a Division Bench comprising Justice Arun Monga and Justice Yogendra Kumar Purohit.

Asaram was arrested in August 2013 following allegations of sexually assaulting a minor student at his ashram in Jodhpur. After a prolonged trial, a Special POCSO Court in Jodhpur convicted him on April 25, 2018, sentencing him to life imprisonment. The High Court conducted day-to-day hearings in the appeal from February 16 to April 20, 2026. Following the conclusion of arguments, the Division Bench reserved its judgment on April 20 and pronounced the verdict on May 27.

During the hearings, Asaram’s defence described the case as fabricated and pointed to alleged inconsistencies in the statements of the victim’s parents. The defence argued that no call records established communication between Asaram and the victim on the night of the incident. Invoking the principle of parity, the lawyers contended that since certain co-accused had been acquitted based on the same evidence, Asaram too could not be held guilty.

Opposing the appeal, the prosecution and the victim’s counsel, P.C. Solanki, argued that under the POCSO Act, the testimony of the victim alone can constitute sufficient evidence for conviction, a principle repeatedly upheld by the Supreme Court.

They further argued that attacks on and killings of witnesses reflected attempts to destroy evidence and influence the case.

Asaram is already serving a life sentence in another sexual assault case involving a female devotee at his ashram in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. He was convicted in that case in January 2023. The 86-year-old had repeatedly sought bail, citing advanced age and deteriorating health. Acting on directions of the Supreme Court, the High Court had granted interim medical bail, which was extended on multiple occasions. Following the latest verdict, he is now required to surrender to the authorities.

–IANS

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