Rajasthan High Court acquits Asaram of gang-rape charges, upholds life sentence in case of minor rape

File image of Asaram Bapu. | Photo credit: PTI

Former self-proclaimed godman Asaram on Wednesday (May 27, 2026) got partial relief from the Rajasthan High Court after it acquitted him of charges related to gang-rape and gang-penetrative sexual assault on a child under the IPC and POCSO, while upholding his conviction for rape of a minor, for which he remains in prison for life.

A division bench comprising Justice Arun Mong and Justice Yogendra Kumar Purohit acquitted Asaram of charges under Section 376(D) of the IPC and Section 5(G)/6 of the POCSO Act. The court also acquitted him under Section 120(B) of the IPC relating to criminal association.

The court, however, upheld his conviction under Section 376(2)(F) IPC for rape of a minor, upholding the sentence of life imprisonment awarded by the trial court.

The court ordered Asaram to surrender in view of the conviction. He is currently out on temporary bail, which was extended by seven days on Monday (May 25, 2026).

Also Read: Asaram Case Verdict Editorial

The High Court also upheld the convictions under several other provisions, including Sections 342 (wrongful imprisonment), 370(4) (human trafficking), 506 (criminal intimidation), 509 (outraging the modesty of a woman), 354 (A) (sexual harassment) of the IPC and Section 2 of the POCSO Judiciary Act77 of the POCSO Act. disciple.

The court further upheld his conviction under Section 376 of the IPC and Section 34 of the POCSO Act.

Meanwhile, the court acquitted co-accused Sanchita Gupta alias Shilpi and Sharat Chandra, who were earlier convicted under section 370(4) read with 120(B) and 370(D), respectively.

The court reserved its verdict on April 20 after completing the hearing on the appeals filed by Asaram and the co-accused.

Before announcing the order, the court reportedly noted that it had a “mixed bag” of good and bad news for the defendant and asked which part he wished to hear first.

Asaram was convicted on 25 April 2018 for sexually assaulting a minor student at his ashram and was sentenced to life imprisonment under several provisions of the IPC, POCSO Act and Juvenile Justice Act.

Published – 27 May 2026 12:41 IST