The Rajasthan High Court at Jodhpur extended the interim bail granted to self-styled godman Asaram in a pending criminal appeal. The Division Bench noted that while arguments in the appeal have concluded, the judgment is yet to be delivered.
Background of the Case
The matter arises from a suspension of sentence application filed in connection with a criminal appeal pending before the High Court. Earlier, by an order dated October 29, 2025, the court had granted interim bail to the appellant for six months.
As that period neared its end, the appellant moved a fresh application seeking continuation of bail. The senior counsel appearing for the appellant informed the court that the appeal had already been fully argued and written submissions had also been filed.
It was further pointed out that the court had earlier allowed the appellant to file a fresh application if the appeal was not decided within the six-month period.
During the hearing, the appellant’s counsel submitted that although final arguments had concluded within the stipulated time, some delay in pronouncement of judgment was expected. In these circumstances, a request was made to extend the interim bail until the judgment is delivered.
On the other hand, the State opposed the request. However, the State’s counsel submitted that if the court was inclined to grant relief, the extension should be limited to a short duration, preferably not exceeding one month.
The bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Sangeeta Sharma, took note of the timeline of proceedings.
The court recorded that the appeal had already been heard finally and that judgment had been reserved on April 20, 2026. It also acknowledged that written submissions were on record.
In its order, the bench observed,
“The judgment has been reserved… and written submissions have also been advanced.”
Considering these factors, the court found it appropriate to grant a limited extension of bail rather than a prolonged one.
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Allowing the application in part, the High Court extended the interim bail granted to the appellant for a further period of one month.
The court clarified that the extension would remain effective till May 25, 2026, or until the judgment in the appeal is pronounced, whichever occurs earlier. It also directed that all conditions imposed in the earlier order dated October 29, 2025, would continue to apply.
With these directions, the application for suspension of sentence was disposed of.
Case Details
Case Title: Asharam @ Ashumal vs State of Rajasthan
Case Number: D.B. Criminal Misc. Suspension of Sentence Application No. 1837/2025 (in Criminal Appeal No. 123/2018)
Judge: Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Sangeeta Sharma
Decision Date: April 29, 2026
