The Rajasthan High Court has allowed a self-styled godman, Asaram, a self-styled 20-day temporary jail liberation, calling the action of the state government “in no way” justified with regard to his exemplary conduct in the interim period and more than 13 years’ confinement in what is called the godhouse.
The order was passed by a division bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Sanjeet Purohit on Monday. The court gave a quick judgment that Asaram be released on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 plus two sureties of Rs 25,000 each.
Asaram, who is lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail, has spent 13 years, one month and 24 days in jail, the High Court said. He had been released on bail on multiple occasions earlier, and during the time spent on bail, there had been no violation of bail conditions, attempts to abscond, to influence witnesses or to cause any law and order problem, the bench added.
The Rajasthan government opposed the parole plea, claiming that even if Asaram gets released, he can escape from the jail. It also mentioned that there are pending criminal cases outside the state, a conviction in Gujarat and the case has been pending since he’s under treatment, and worry arises about the safety of the family of this victim.
The High Court, however, said that the state had raised its protest too hastily, without any specific evidence. The bench also found nothing that indicated that Asaram presented flight risk or would pose any public order threat, if he were to be freed on parole.
Asaram is being granted regular parole for the first time since he was jailed.