Asaram

Asumal Sirumalani Harpalani (born 17 April 1941), known by devotees as Asaram, is an Indian spiritual leader and convicted rapist, who started to come into the limelight in the early 1970s. By 2013, he was estimated to have established over 400 ashrams and 40 schools in India and abroad.

Multiple legal proceedings have been initiated against him, in connection with illegal encroachment, rape, and tampering of a witness. In 2018, Asaram was found guilty of the rape of a minor girl by Special Judge Madhusudhan Sharma of a special Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe court in Jodhpur and is currently serving life imprisonment in Jodhpur. Asaram's counsel has filed an appeal in the Rajasthan High Court challenging the judgment of the special court. The counsel argues that the trial court ignored significant facts and claims that the case is a clear and disturbing illustration of trial by media.

In January 2025, Asaram Bapu was granted interim bail by Supreme Court till 31st March 2025 on medical grounds. The bench noted that he was suffering from various age-related health conditions and had previously suffered a series of heart attacks. Interim bail in Jodhpur case was also subsequently granted by Rajasthan High Court for necessary treatment.

In 2024, Supreme Court lawyer and activist of the 'Fight for your Right' organisation, Kirti Ahuja alleged significant deficiencies in the legal proceedings in Asaram Bapu case. She said that the trial courts in Jodhpur and Ahmedabad failed to address several lacunae within the case, leading to a potential miscarriage of justice.