Convicted godman Asaram faces fresh legal action after failing to surrender at Jodhpur Central Jail by the 5 pm deadline on October 27, when his 20-day parole ended. The Rajasthan High Court had granted him parole on October 6 on medical grounds. On October 27, the Supreme Court rejected his request for an extension and directed him to surrender by 5 pm. Asaram travelled from Ujjain to Jodhpur by air ambulance and reached the Central Jail at around 10.45 pm — nearly six hours after the deadline. Jail authorities did not admit him because prisoner admissions are not permitted at night.
He was subsequently taken to Arogyam Hospital in Bhagat Ki Kothi, where he stayed overnight, before returning to the jail and formally surrendering at around 9.45–10 am on October 28. Ratanada police have registered an FIR under Section 58(B) of the Rajasthan Prisons Act following a report from the jail authorities.
FIR Over Delayed Surrender
The police case was registered after jail authorities reported that Asaram had not surrendered within the stipulated period. Assistant Sub-Inspector Bhawani Singh, who is investigating the matter, confirmed that an FIR was registered at Ratanada police station under Section 58(B) of the Rajasthan Prisons Act. The provision deals with a prisoner’s failure to surrender after temporary release.
Police said the case relates specifically to the delayed return following the expiry of his parole and is separate from the convictions for which Asaram is already serving prison sentences. The FIR records an allegation and does not by itself establish guilt.
Jail Refused Night Entry
Asaram’s journey back to prison began after the Supreme Court declined to extend his parole. According to police reports, he reached Jodhpur by air ambulance from Ujjain at around 10.15 pm and arrived at the Central Jail approximately 30 minutes later. Jodhpur police SHO Zulfikar Ali said the jail administration did not admit him because prisoners are not taken into custody at night.
He was then taken to Arogyam Hospital in Bhagat Ki Kothi, where he remained overnight. He returned to the Central Jail the following morning and surrendered at around 9.45–10 am. This timeline is significant: although his formal surrender occurred nearly 17 hours after the 5 pm deadline, he had reached the jail roughly six hours after the deadline but could not complete the admission process that night.
Court Rejects Extension
The delay came after Asaram sought additional time outside prison, citing his medical condition. The Rajasthan High Court had granted him 20 days of parole on October 6, with the release period ending on October 27. When the matter came before the Supreme Court, the court rejected his request for an extension and directed him to surrender by 5 pm that day.
The court also directed the Rajasthan government to ensure that his medical requirements were addressed. Asaram’s appeal against the Rajasthan High Court’s judgment upholding his conviction and life sentence is scheduled to be heard by the Supreme Court on November 17.
Conviction And Background
Asaram is serving a life sentence following his 2018 conviction for the rape of a minor at his ashram in Jodhpur. In May 2026, the Rajasthan High Court upheld his conviction for rape and the life sentence, while modifying other findings in the case. He also has a separate life sentence in Gujarat in another rape case.
His latest parole was granted for medical reasons and was subject to conditions governing his release and return to custody. The new police case concerns the alleged failure to meet the stipulated surrender deadline and is distinct from the underlying sexual assault conviction.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The episode highlights the need for parole conditions and prison procedures to be applied consistently, transparently and through due process. Medical concerns must be treated with humanity, but court-ordered deadlines also serve an important purpose in maintaining accountability within the justice system. At the same time, the fresh FIR should be assessed through the legal process rather than public speculation, and any explanation for the delayed surrender should be considered by the appropriate authorities.
Clear procedures for dealing with delays arising from genuine medical or logistical circumstances could also help prevent confusion while preserving the integrity of parole conditions. Do you think parole rules should have clearer procedures for handling delays linked to medical or logistical circumstances?
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