The Rajasthan High Court on Wednesday refused to grant interim bail to Asaram and directed his lawyer to submit an affidavit in the next hearing.

Asaram, who is serving a sentence in a rape case, appeared before the court as his petition for interim relief was heard. The proceedings lasted for approximately 30 minutes, during which the government advocate opposed the plea, citing Asaram’s alleged violation of the Supreme Court’s condition against preaching. The court has scheduled the next hearing for April 7.

Asaram’s lawyer refuted claims of any such violation. The court also sought details of his medical treatment during his previous interim bail and inquired about its necessity in the future.

Following arguments from both sides, the court directed Asaram to file a counter-affidavit regarding the alleged breach of conditions. After his interim bail expired, Asaram surrendered at Jodhpur Central Jail on April 1 at 1:30 PM. He remained in custody for about 10 hours before being transferred to a private hospital (Arogyaam) on Pali Road at 11:30 PM. However, authorities have not provided an official explanation for his hospitalization.

Previously, the Gujarat High Court had granted Asaram three months of interim bail in a separate rape case.

On Tuesday, after the Rajasthan High Court reopened, Asaram’s lawyer, Nishant Bora, sought an urgent hearing on his bail plea. The court took up the matter the following day.

Despite securing interim bail in the Gujarat case, Asaram remains in custody as he has not received similar relief in Rajasthan. Officials clarified that he cannot be released unless both courts grant him bail.

The Rajasthan High Court also directed both Asaram and the victim to file affidavits regarding the bail plea. The victim’s lawyer strongly opposed an extension, arguing that Asaram had previously violated court conditions and should not be granted further relief.

During the hearing, the court specifically questioned Asaram’s lawyer about whether he had delivered sermons in violation of the Supreme Court’s conditions. The court ordered an affidavit on this matter. The case was heard by a division bench of Justices Dinesh Mehta and Vineet Kumar Mathur.

The Supreme Court had initially granted interim bail to Asaram on January 14, which was subsequently extended by the Rajasthan High Court until March 31. With this period now expired, Asaram filed a fresh petition seeking an extension.

Meanwhile, the Gujarat High Court granted him interim bail in the Surat rape case for three months, but he remains in custody due to pending legal proceedings in Rajasthan.

Asaram has been convicted in two separate rape cases, both resulting in life imprisonment. In 2013, he was sentenced for raping a minor girl in Jodhpur, while in January 2023, he received a life sentence for repeated sexual assault at his Gandhinagar Ashram in Gujarat.