Jaipur, May 27. The Rajasthan High Court has refused to grant major relief to Asaram, who is serving a sentence for raping a minor, and has upheld his life imprisonment sentence.

However, the court has acquitted him of the charge of gang rape, but his conviction and sentence for other serious charges have been maintained. Along with this, the court has ordered Asaram, who is currently out on parole, to surrender immediately.

This important verdict was delivered by a division bench of Justice Arun Monga and Justice Yogendra Kumar Purohit at the Jodhpur bench of the Rajasthan High Court. After completing the hearing on appeals filed by Asaram and two other accused, the court clarified that no change would be made to the life sentence imposed by the lower court in the case of rape of the minor victim.

During the hearing, based on available evidence, the court found that the charge of gang rape was not proven, so they were granted relief on that specific charge, but all other charges were sufficiently proven.

For this reason, his main sentence will remain. Two other co-accused in this case, Shilpi and Sharatchand, have received partial relief from the court. While ruling on their appeals, the High Court provided relief for some charges filed against them, while the lower court’s order was maintained for the remaining matters.

This high-profile case dates back to 2013, when a case was registered against Asaram for raping a minor student at his ashram in Jodhpur.

After police investigation and a long legal process, a special court in 2018 convicted Asaram and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

This decision was challenged by Asaram in the High Court, which has now issued an order to send him back to jail while upholding his main sentence.

Rajasthan High Court

The Rajasthan High Court is the highest judicial body in the Indian state of Rajasthan, originally established in 1949 at Jodhpur. It was created following the merger of the former princely states of Rajputana into the state of Rajasthan, with its principal seat in Jodhpur and a bench in Jaipur. The court has played a key role in upholding the rule of law and delivering justice across the state’s diverse regions.

Jodhpur bench

The “Jodhpur bench” is a distinctive, low-slung wooden bench with a woven cane seat, originating from the Indian city of Jodhpur in Rajasthan. It was historically used by British colonial officers and Indian royalty for outdoor relaxation, blending traditional Indian craftsmanship with colonial-era design. Today, it remains a popular symbol of classic, handcrafted Indian furniture.

Jodhpur

Jodhpur, often called the “Blue City” for its indigo-painted houses, is a historic city in Rajasthan, India, founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, a Rajput chief of the Rathore clan. It is dominated by the imposing Mehrangarh Fort, which sits on a hilltop and served as the seat of the Marwar kingdom. The city’s rich history as a thriving trade center on the Silk Road is still visible in its bustling markets and grand palaces.