The Rajasthan High Court has granted a 20-day parole to Asaram, the self-styled godman serving a life sentence for the rape of a minor. The court said there was no evidence that he posed a risk or had violated bail conditions, and that the state had failed to justify its rejection of his parole plea.
The decision overrules objections raised by the state government, which had opposed his temporary release. The court found that the authorities did not provide sufficient grounds to deny parole. As a result, Asaram will be allowed to leave Jodhpur Central Jail for 20 days.
Asaram, a controversial religious figure, has been imprisoned following his conviction for the sexual assault of a minor. The case has drawn significant attention, and the high court's ruling marks a legal setback for the state administration, which had pushed against his release.
The court's reasoning indicates that parole decisions should rest on concrete evidence of risk rather than general concerns. By granting parole, the court affirmed that the absence of prior violations or threats justifies the temporary freedom. The 20-day period will commence upon his release from jail.