Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court today extended temporary bail for self-styled godman Asaram until July 7 in connection with a 2013 rape case, for which he is currently serving a life sentence. Asaram was earlier granted temporary bail on medical grounds on March 28, which was due to expire on June 30.

A division bench of Justices Ilesh Vora and Sandeep Bhatt passed the extension during a hearing to allow his lawyer time to file additional documents, with the next hearing scheduled for July 2.

Asaram’s lawyer told the court that 10 days were lost following the bail order due to formalities with the Jodhpur High Court, and his client was only released on April 7. He requested an extension of two days to file the required documents, saying he is prepared to surrender if necessary once the matter is heard on Monday.

The court, in its order, acknowledged the ongoing process of obtaining a certificate from the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and agreed to extend the bail until July 7, citing the specific circumstances of the case.

In January 2023, a Gandhinagar court sentenced Asaram to life imprisonment for raping a woman disciple from Surat between 2001 and 2006 at his Motera ashram in Ahmedabad. He is already serving a life sentence in a separate 2013 rape case involving a minor girl at his Rajasthan ashram. DeshGujarat