Asaram's bail extended until July 1

Jodhpur: Rajasthan High Court, Jodhpur extended interim bail of self-styled godman Asaram till July 1, Monday. He had returned to Jodhpur Central Jail on April 1 after his previous interim bail had expired on March 31.

A division bench comprising Justice Dinesh Mehta and Justice Vineet Kumar granted this relief to Asaram on the same conditions as laid down by the high court, which included prohibition on meeting followers or holding sermons for devotees.

Hearing on the bail application of Asaram had taken place on April 2, in which the respondent's counsel PC Solnaki objected to the bail arguing that Asaram had misused the liberty granted by the by the high court.

He said Asaram was not only meeting with the disciples but also giving sermons.

Video evidence and news paper cuttings was also submitted in support of this argument, after which the court had sought an affidavit from Asaram adjourning the hearing till Monday.

Asaram's counsel Nishant Bora said that the affidavit was submitted in the court on Monday as directed by the court stating that neither any organised speech or sermon had been given nor had he met with the disciples in groups. "We submitted that the Gujrat High Court has extended applicant's interim bail up to June 30 and prayed for the interim bail in present case to be extended with regard to that order," said Bora

In light of the arguments, affidavit and order of the Gujrat high court, the court expressed its reluctance to hear the arguments concerning his medical condition afresh and granted interim bail allowing his application.

Asaram, who is admitted in a private Ayurveda hospital since April 1, has already been granted interim bail by Gujrat High Court on March 28 for 3 months in a similar matter of rape in Surat.