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Former self-styled godman Asaram received partial alleviation from the Rajasthan High Court connected Wednesday (May 27, 2026) aft it acquitted him of charges related to pack rape and pack penetrative intersexual battle connected a kid nether the IPC and POCSO Act, portion upholding his condemnation for rape of a minor, which continues to transportation beingness imprisonment.
A part seat comprising Justice Arun Monga and Justice Yogendra Kumar Purohit acquitted Asaram of charges nether IPC Section 376(D) and Sections 5(G)/6 of the POCSO Act. The tribunal besides discharged him nether Section 120(B) of the IPC related to transgression conspiracy.
However, the seat upheld his condemnation nether IPC Section 376(2)(F), pertaining to rape of a minor, thereby retaining the condemnation of beingness imprisonment awarded by the proceedings court.
The tribunal directed Asaram to surrender successful presumption of the conviction. He is presently retired connected impermanent bail, which was extended by 7 days connected Monday (May 25, 2026).
Also read: Editorial connected Asaram lawsuit verdict
The High Court besides upheld convictions nether respective different provisions, including Sections 342 (wrongful confinement), 370(4) (trafficking), 506 (criminal intimidation), 509 (insulting the modesty of a woman), 354(A) (sexual harassment) of the IPC, on with Sections 7/8 of the POCSO Act and Section 23 of the Juvenile Justice Act.
The seat further upheld his condemnation nether Section 376 of the IPC and Section 34 of the POCSO Act.
Meanwhile, the tribunal acquitted co-accused Sanchita Gupta alias Shilpi and Sharat Chandra, who had earlier been convicted nether Sections 370(4) work with 120(B) and 370(D), respectively.
The seat had reserved its verdict connected April 20 aft completing hearings connected the appeals filed by Asaram and the co-accused.
Before pronouncing the order, the tribunal reportedly remarked that it had a "mixed bag" of bully and atrocious quality for the accused and asked which portion helium wished to perceive first.
Asaram was convicted connected April 25, 2018, for sexually assaulting a insignificant pupil astatine his ashram and was sentenced to beingness imprisonment nether aggregate provisions of the IPC, POCSO Act, and Juvenile Justice Act.
