Today, the Supreme Court refused to entertain the bail plea of self-styled godman Asaram Bapu convicted in rape case of a minor girl back in 2013.

The division bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti said that the accused can file a fresh plea before the Rajasthan High Court for suspension of sentence.

Following a concise hearing, Senior Advocate Devadutt Kamath, representing Asaram, requested permission to withdraw the petition, and the request was granted.

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Case Brief -

The bench considered the godman's appeal challenging a Rajasthan High Court order from July 2022, which had denied him bail. Furthermore, the High Court had also turned down the godman's plea to suspend his sentence. Asaram's arrest was in connection with allegations of raping a minor girl in August 2013, reportedly occurring in Jodhpur's Manai village.

An FIR was initially filed against him on August 20, 2013, and he was arrested on the midnight of August 31, 2013, on charges stemming from the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Juvenile Justice Act (JJ Act), and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act).

After Asaram's arrest, two women from Surat came forward and lodged a complaint, accusing Asaram and his son of sexually assaulting them between 2002 and 2005.

The criminal trial for the Jodhpur rape case began in 2014 and continued for four years, culminating in his conviction by the trial court in 2018, which resulted in a life imprisonment sentence.

During this time, Asaram sought bail from the High Court, citing his advanced age of approximately 83 years and his numerous health ailments. He also emphasized his prolonged detention. However, his request for bail was denied by the High Court, which subsequently led to his appeal before the Supreme Court.

The Court, however, refused to entertain the plea.