Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The district administration authorities reached the premises of Asaram Bapu’s ashram at Bhopal’s Gandhinagar to demolish illegal construction at the Gurukul on Thursday.
They demolished the boundary wall of the Gurukul following a court case on disputed part of Gurukul’s land. Police and the administration officials faced protests from the locals and students studying at the Gurukul.
The demolition comes a week before his final bail extension by Gujarat High Court which is going to end on August 7.
The action was carried out under tight security, with a heavy police presence deployed to prevent any disorder.
Earlier this month, Gujarat High Court extended Asaram Bapu’s temporary medical bail by one month, clearly stating that this would be the final extension.
The 86-year-old convict is serving a life sentence for raping a woman disciple at his Ahmedabad ashram between 2001 and 2006. He is also serving a separate life term for the 2013 rape of a minor at his ashram in Rajasthan.
Asaram’s lawyer had filed a plea for a three-month extension in his bail citing medical reasons.
However, a Division Bench comprising Justices Ilesh Vora and PM Raval denied the plea and instead allowed just 30 more days. This decision comes after a previous short-term extension from June 30 to July 7.
Asaram, a controversial spiritual figure, was convicted in January 2023 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 376(2)(C) (rape), 377 (unnatural offenses), and 354 (assault or criminal force with intent to outrage modesty).
