The father of the 2013 Shahjahanpur rape survivor has moved the Supreme Court seeking cancellation of the six-month interim bail granted to rape convict and self-styled godman Asaram by the Gujarat High Court. Expressing deep fear for his family’s safety, the father has claimed that ever since Asaram was released on medical grounds, he has been receiving threats and intimidation allegedly from Asaram’s followers. He has also questioned the medical basis on which the bail was granted, asserting that Asaram is not seriously ill and is actively holding religious gatherings instead of undergoing treatment.

Background of the Case

Asaram was arrested in 2013 after a 16-year-old girl from Shahjahanpur accused him of sexual assault at his Jodhpur ashram. In 2018, he was convicted under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and sentenced to life imprisonment. His legal troubles continued when a Gujarat court, in 2023, convicted him in another rape case originating from his Ahmedabad ashram, again sentencing him to life imprisonment.

Despite these serious convictions, both the Rajasthan and Gujarat High Courts granted him temporary bail—first in Rajasthan and then in Gujarat—citing medical grounds. The Gujarat High Court’s order, issued in November 2025, granted Asaram six months of interim bail to facilitate medical treatment.

Survivor’s Family Alleges Threats, Questions Medical Grounds

The survivor’s father has alleged that the temporary release of Asaram has placed his family in grave danger. According to him, the moment the bail was granted, threats resumed, instilling fear that had previously subsided while Asaram remained behind bars.

He further claimed that Asaram is not unwell to the extent suggested in the bail application. Instead, he alleged that the convict has been conducting “satsang” sessions at his Ahmedabad ashram and using these gatherings to incite followers against the survivor’s family. He also recalled earlier allegations that Asaram had, in the past, arranged violent attacks and was “getting people shot,” and fears that his release has renewed the risk to their lives.

Police Monitoring and Security Measures

Shahjahanpur Superintendent of Police Rajesh Dwivedi confirmed that authorities are in regular touch with the survivor’s family. To bolster their safety, CCTV cameras have been installed near their home to monitor suspicious activity, and two guards have been assigned for round-the-clock protection. The family has also been instructed to inform police officials before stepping out, and officers are periodically reviewing the security situation.

Despite these measures, the father has insisted that bail has emboldened Asaram’s followers, creating an atmosphere of renewed intimidation.

Gujarat High Court’s Bail Order

The Gujarat High Court’s six-month temporary bail order followed a similar decision by the Rajasthan High Court, also premised on Asaram’s medical condition. A division bench of Justices Ilesh Vora and R. T. Vachhani orally noted that the decision aligned with Rajasthan’s ruling, allowing him time for treatment outside prison.

The survivor’s father, however, argues that these medical grounds are being misused and that the safety of his family should have been taken into primary consideration.

Petition Before the Supreme Court

Through his legal team, the father has now appealed to the Supreme Court to quash the bail. His petition stresses the risks posed by the interim release of a convict who has a history of influencing witnesses, intimidating complainants, and mobilizing a massive follower base.

The Supreme Court is expected to examine whether the Gujarat High Court adequately assessed the threat perception and whether medical grounds justified overriding the concerns of the survivor and her family.

As the matter reaches India’s highest court, it raises critical questions about the balance between a convict’s right to medical care and a victim family’s right to safety—particularly in a case as high-profile and sensitive as this one.