Asaram: Difference between revisions

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}{{Infobox criminal

'''Asumal Sirumalani Harpalani''' (born 17 April 1941), popularly known as '''Asaram Bapu''', is an Indian religious leader who started to come into the limelight in the early 1970s and had by 2013 claimed to have established over 400 [[ashrams]] in India and abroad.

In December 2017,[[Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad]](the apex organisation of [[Hindu]] [[Sant (religion)|Sants]] (saints) and [[Sadhu]]s (ascetics) in [[India]].) prepared a list of ''fake babas'' where asaram was also included,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/apex-body-of-sadhus-releases-2nd-list-of-fake-godmen/articleshow/62299603.cms|title=Apex body of sadhus releases 2nd list of fake godmen – Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615144958/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/apex-body-of-sadhus-releases-2nd-list-of-fake-godmen/articleshow/62299603.cms|archive-date=15 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the [[partition of India]] in 1947, he and his family moved to [[Ahmedabad]], then part of the former [[Bombay State]] in India (now [[Gujarat]]), leaving behind their immovable assets in [[Sindh]], where Asaram's father founded a coal and wood selling business.<ref name="Daily Bhaskar 22 Aug 2013">{{cite news |title=Coal-seller Harpalani turned Asaram 'bapu' faces new allegations |url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/GUJ-AHD-coal-seller-harpalani-turned-asaram-bapu-faces-new-allegations-4354473-NOR.html |newspaper=Daily Bhaskar |date=22 August 2013 |access-date=29 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927131925/http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/GUJ-AHD-coal-seller-harpalani-turned-asaram-bapu-faces-new-allegations-4354473-NOR.html |archive-date=27 September 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> Asumal had ran this business for a short time, after his father's death.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/how-much-are-asaram-s-assets-worth--132259632.html|title=How much are Asaram's assets worth?|date=2 September 2013|work=Yahoo News India|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713042842/https://in.news.yahoo.com/how-much-are-asaram-s-assets-worth--132259632.html|archive-date=13 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> He received his formal education at Jai Hind High School, up-till class III, when his father died.

Asumal had a long history of escapades to ''[[ashram]]s'', which commenced at the age of 15, eight days before his eventual wedding to Laxmi Devi.<ref name="IE_rise_2013" /> In one such event, Lilashah, a local religio-spiritual figure had allegedly<ref name="India Today 2008-08-24">{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/states/story/20080804-clouded-in-controversy-737024-2008-07-24|title=Clouded in controversy |author=Uday Mahurkar |date=24 July 2008 |website=India Today |language=en |access-date=2019-12-15}}</ref> ordained him as her disciple, over an ashram at [[Gandhidham]],<ref name="Caravan 2017-04-01" /> and named him Asaram on 7 October 1964.<ref name="IE_rise_2013" />

According to his official biography, Asaram returned to Ahmedabad on 8 July 1971 and on 29 January 1972, built a hut at [[Motera]], then a village on the banks of the Sabarmati.<ref name="IE_rise_2013"/> Although his official biography doesn't mention it, Asaram had lived in [[Motera]]'s Sadashiv Ashram for two years, before setting up his own hut adjacent to it.<ref name="tehelka_taint_2013">{{cite news |url=http://www.tehelka.com/the-saint-and-his-taint/?singlepage=1|title=The saint and his taint|work=Tehelka.com|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713165359/http://www.tehelka.com/the-saint-and-his-taint/?singlepage=1|archive-date=13 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

He became a popular katha-vachak (narrator of religious stories),<ref>[https://www.amarujala.com/haryana/panipat/sinnger-asharam-bapu-charector-less-aarop-sp-meet कथावाचक आसाराम बापू पर दुराचार के आरोपों में मुख्य गवाह एसपी से मिला, अमर उजाला, Wed, 28 Dec 2016]</ref> combining his easy to follow discourses with humor, music and dancing.<ref>[https://www.sarita.in/interview/gajendra-chauhan-became-ftii-chairman-but-how गजेंद्र चौहान: छात्रों के लिए युद्धिष्ठिर नहीं दुर्योधन जंगल लव जैसी सी ग्रेड फिल्में और महाभारत के युधिष्ठिर का किरदार, बस इसी उपलब्धि के आधार पर एफटीआईआई में चेयरमैन बन बैठे गजेंद्र चौहान, Sarita, सोमा घोष, February 15, 2016]</ref> Initially outside of his own Sindhi community, he attracted Other Backward Classes and Dalits. After he became well known, he started attracting the upper-caste listeners also. His ashrams offered free food. In the tribal areas feasts were organized where utensils and clothes were distributed.

He converted this hut into a small ashram in 1973, and started with 5–10 followers. With successive local governments from across the political divide, paying economic patronage to him including by grant of lands for expansion of his ashrams,<ref name="IE_rise_2013" /><ref name="open_dark_2013" /><ref name="Frontline 2008-10-04">{{cite news |date=4 October 2008 |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/in-the-name-of-faith/article5137396.ece |title=In the name of faith |last=Nanda |first=Meera |website=Frontline |language=en |access-date=2019-12-18}}</ref> and a growing Hinduisation of the Gujarati society in the wake of [[Hindutva]] centered politics.<ref name="Caravan 2017-04-01" /><ref name="Frontline 2017-10-13" /><ref name="Frontline 2008-10-04" /> {{efn|However Justice D K Trivedi Commission stated that there is no evidence of such rituals in one of his Ashrams at Gujarat.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/death-of-two-school-children-asaram-son-get-clean-chit-from-commission/articleshow/70399390.cms|title=Death of two school-children: Asaram, son get clean chit from commission|date=2019-07-26|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-12-18}}</ref>}}

Many political leaders went on to visit him to pay him respect through the decades; primarily in lieu of commanding the votes of his followers, including Atal Bihari Vajpayee, LK Advani, Narendra Modi, Digvijaya Singh and Kamal Nath<ref name="Caravan 2017-04-01" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/political-patrons/article5137394.ece|title=Political patrons|last=Tripathi |first=Purnima S.|website=Frontline|language=en|access-date=2019-12-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20150817-from-rags-to-riches-to-infamy-820219-2015-08-06|title=Asaram: From rags to riches to infamy|last=Mahurkar |first=Uday|date=17 August 2015|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2019-12-17}}</ref> By 2013, Asaram claimed to have four hundred major and minor ashrams in India and 18 other countries, with over forty million followers.<ref name="Caravan 2017-04-01" /><ref name="open_dark_2013">{{cite news |url=http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/nation/the-dark-side-of-asaram-bapu|title=The Dark Side of Asaram Bapu|work=OPEN Magazine|access-date=2 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130821093928/http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/nation/the-dark-side-of-asaram-bapu|archive-date=21 August 2013|url-status=live|date=30 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20150817-asarams-empire-of-deceit-820220-2015-08-06|title=Asaram's empire of deceit |date=6 August 2015 |author=Uday Mahurkar |website=India Today |language=en |access-date=2019-12-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211093316/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20150817-asarams-empire-of-deceit-820220-2015-08-06 |archive-date=11 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BBC Outlook 2018-06-14">{{Cite podcast|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06b26ff|title=The Policeman Who Toppled a Guru|website=Outlook|publisher=[[BBC World Service]]|last=Webb|first=Emily|date=14 June 2018|access-date=27 December 2019}}</ref>

Emphasizing upon the prominence of [[Brahmacarya|Brahmcharya]]<ref>{{cite news |author=Dishank Purohit |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jodhpur/miracles-supernatural-tales-kept-asarams-cult-going/articleshow/63932093.cms |title=Miracles, supernatural tales kept Asaram's cult going |date=27 April 2018 |website=The Times of India |language=en |access-date=2019-12-13}}</ref><ref name="Frontline 2013-10-04">{{cite news |date=4 October 2013 |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/asarams-empire/article5137420.ece |title=Asaram's empire |website=Frontline |language=en |access-date=2019-12-14}}</ref> and Guru-Shishya relationship, it was instilled among the devotees, to accept Asaram (and his son) as infallible, be blindly obedient to them and not to question them about anything, whatsoever.<ref name="Caravan 2017-04-01" /><ref name="India Today 2008-08-24" /> Physical violence is advocated for against any dissident.<ref name="India Today 2008-08-24" />

The teachings are typically pre-recorded and broadcast through mass-media.<ref name="open_dark_2013" /> Asaram has also organized spiritual discourses all over India, whence his disciples are accorded ''[[diksha]]'' (initiation by a guru) by him. Around 20,000 students visited his ''satsang'' in Ahmedabad on December 2001.<ref name="SatsangCrowd">{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2001-12-02/ahmedabad/27250212_1_asaram-bapu-students-throng-sant |title=Students throng at Asaram Bapu's discourse |date=2 December 2001 |access-date=2 December 2001 |work=The Times of India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023205137/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2001-12-02/ahmedabad/27250212_1_asaram-bapu-students-throng-sant |archive-date=23 October 2012 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="dikshafollowers">{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2005-05-08/patna/27833997_1_asaram-bapu-diksha-disciples |title=Many to take 'diksha' today |date=8 May 2005 |work=The Times of India |access-date=8 May 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928034650/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2005-05-08/patna/27833997_1_asaram-bapu-diksha-disciples |archive-date=28 September 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}} Many to take 'diksha' today</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Spiritual leader Asaram Bapu survives chopper crash|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-30/vadodara/33498016_1_asaram-bapu-chopper-crash-helicopter |newspaper=The Times of India |date=30 August 2012 |access-date=22 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019122307/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-30/vadodara/33498016_1_asaram-bapu-chopper-crash-helicopter|archive-date=19 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> He has also participated in [[Shuddhi|shuddhi movements]], and advocated against conversion to Christianity.<ref name="Frontline 2013-10-04" /><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Kanungo|first1=Pralay|last2=Joshi|first2=Satyakam|date=2009-12-01|title=Carving out a White Marble Deity from a Rugged Black Stone?: Hindutva Rehabilitates Ramayan's Shabari in a Temple|journal=[[International Journal of Hindu Studies]]|language=en|volume=13|issue=3|pages=279–299|doi=10.1007/s11407-010-9080-5|issn=1574-9282|jstor=40608066|s2cid=143078203}}</ref>

Asaram runs an Ayurvedic medicine business.<ref name="Frontline 2013-10-04" /> Two magazines—RishiPrasad, a monthly and Lok Kalyan Setu, a fortnightly—sold about 14 lakh copies every month in 2008, incurring a net annual earning of around INR 7.50 crore.<ref name="India Today 2008-08-24" /> Around three to four Gurupurnima functions, held per year, staked in donations ranging into crores of rupees.<ref name="India Today 2008-08-24" /> [[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]] valued his assets (2008) at about INR 5000 Crore.<ref name="Frontline 2013-10-04" />

Asaram had a modus operandi of occupying vacant plots of land, occupying it through illegal means including forgery of records<ref name="India Today 2008-08-24" /> and unleashing a throng of devotees, when resisted by the state machinery.<ref name="Caravan 2017-04-01" /> A number of his ashrams have faced legal challenges, on grounds of illegal encroachment. Multiple state governments have razed ashrams to reclaim lands, that were illegally encroached upon (including by forgery of documents)<ref name="IE_rise_2013" /><ref name="tehelka_taint_2013" /><ref name="thai-demolish">{{cite news |url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/asaram-ashram-encroachment-demolished-in-gujarat_100466359.html|title=Asaram ashram encroachment demolished in Gujarat|date=27 November 2010 |publisher=Thaindian News |access-date=11 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911004459/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/asaram-ashram-encroachment-demolished-in-gujarat_100466359.html|archive-date=11 September 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> and there are multiple pending cases and investigations.<ref name="toi-700cr">{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-17/bhopal/36393250_1_asaram-bapu-narayan-sai-sfio|title=Asaram Bapu's prosecution sought for Rs 700cr land grab|date=17 January 2013 |work=The Times of India |access-date=2 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824072830/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-17/bhopal/36393250_1_asaram-bapu-narayan-sai-sfio|archive-date=24 August 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 3 July 2008, two boys went missing from Asaram's residential school ([[Gurukula|gurukul]]) in [[Motera]] ([[Gujarat]]).<ref name="open_dark_2013" /> The parents alleged that the ashram administration initially tried to restrain them from lodging a complaint with the police and that the police harassed them on receiving cues from ashram heavyweights.<ref name="open_dark_2013" /> On 5 July 2013, the boys' mutilated bodies were found on the banks of the [[Sabarmati river]] near the Ashram, with the ashram having conducted several futile religious efforts in locating them.<ref name="open_dark_2013" /> The incident led to unprecedented state-wide public agitations,<ref name="Frontline 2017-10-13" /> with allegations that the boys had been sacrificed by Asaram and his followers for [[black magic]].<ref name="open_dark_2013" />

The [[Narendra Modi]]-led Gujarat state government set up the Justice D.K. Trivedi Commission to probe the deaths in the Motera ashram and allotted a time-frame of three months.<ref name="Indian Express 2008-08-01" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/parents-of-boys-demand-cbi-probe/article5212003.ece|title=Parents of boys demand CBI probe|date=7 October 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=12 July 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140830200807/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/parents-of-boys-demand-cbi-probe/article5212003.ece|archive-date=30 August 2014}}</ref> The commission had been criticized by the High Court for its procedural biases towards Asaram;<ref name="open_dark_2013" /> the final report was submitted in 2013, but were only disclosed in 2019 by the state legislature, essentially exonerating Asaram of all charges but holding the ashram authorities responsible for negligence.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/death-of-two-school-children-asaram-son-get-clean-chit-from-commission/articleshow/70399390.cms|title=Death of two school-children: Asaram, son get clean chit from commission|date=2019-07-26|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-12-11}}</ref> A concurrent [[Crime Investigation Department (India)|CID]] probe, ordered on the behest of the [[High Court of Gujarat]] had already rejected the claims of practice of black magic, in 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/crime/cid-finds-no-proof-of-black-magic-in-asaram-ashram/|title=CID finds no proof of black magic in Asaram ashram|date=8 April 2010|work=The Indian Express|language=en-US|access-date=30 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930115926/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/crime/cid-finds-no-proof-of-black-magic-in-asaram-ashram/|archive-date=30 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

It was reported that after this event, Narendra Modi Modi had warned the Vishwa Hindu  not to support Asaram in any public forum. Asaram's supporters attempted to a patch-up with Modi, but were unsuccessful.<ref>[https://www.news18.com/news/opinion/opinion-asarams-downfall-began-10-years-ago-with-a-probe-by-cm-narendra-modi-in-gujarat-1730295.html Asaram's Downfall Began 10 Years Ago With a Probe by CM Narendra Modi in Gujarat, News18, APRIL 26, 2018]</ref> VHP was critical of Narendra Modi for abandoning Asaram.<ref>[http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/vhp-attacks-bjp-govt-in-gujarat-on-asaram-bapu-issue/558284/ VHP attacks BJP govt in Gujarat on Asaram Bapu issue, Indian Express, Wed Dec 23 2009]</ref> Modi later in 2013 asked BJP not to defend Asaram.<ref>[https://www.indiatoday.in/india/west/story/dont-defend-asaram-bapu-narendra-modi-tells-bjp-175287-2013-08-28 Don't defend rape-accused Asaram. Modi's angry diktat to party leaders, India Today, Bhavna Vij-Aurora, August 28, 2013]</ref> Modi also ordered an investigation into his ashram properties.<ref>[https://www.indiatoday.in/india/west/story/modi-gives-orders-to-investigate-asarams-ashram-properties-209981-2013-09-05 Modi gives orders to investigate Asaram's ashram properties, India Today, UDAY MAHURKAR, September 5, 2013]</ref>

When Asaram did not appear for interrogation by 31 August, [[Delhi Police]] booked him under multiple non-bailable sections of [[Indian Penal Code|IPC]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/fir-registered-by-victim-against-asaram-bapu-reveals-a-horrific-tale-of-sexually-assault/1/304713.html|title=FIR registered by victim against Asaram Bapu reveals a horrific tale of sexual assault|work=intoday.in|access-date=2 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902211704/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/fir-registered-by-victim-against-asaram-bapu-reveals-a-horrific-tale-of-sexually-assault/1/304713.html|archive-date=2 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Asaram was in one of his ashram(s) in [[Indore]] when clashes broke out between his disciples and the journalists and policemen.<ref name="TH_attack_2013">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/asaram-supporters-attack-on-journalists-condemned/article5079624.ece|title=Asaram supporters attack on journalists condemned|last=Singh|first=Mahim Pratap|date=31 August 2013|work=The Hindu|location=Chennai, India|access-date=1 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004230141/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/asaram-supporters-attack-on-journalists-condemned/article5079624.ece|archive-date=4 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Eventually, the Jodhpur police arrested him on 1 September 2013 from his ashram,<ref name="NDTV_Jodhpur_2013" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Indian guru Asaram Bapu arrested over rape claims|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/01/indian-guru-asaram-bapu-rape-claim|date=1 September 2013|access-date=14 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221095111/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/01/indian-guru-asaram-bapu-rape-claim|archive-date=21 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> and flew him to Jodhpur, where he was imprisoned.<ref name="Wire_convicted">{{cite news |title=Asaram Bapu, Two Others Convicted of Raping Minor Girl |url=https://thewire.in/law/asaram-bapu-four-others-convicted-of-raping-minor-girl |work=The Wire |date=25 April 2018 |access-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612185020/https://thewire.in/law/asaram-bapu-four-others-convicted-of-raping-minor-girl |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Asaram was charged under Sections 342, 376, 506 and 509 of the IPC, as well as under Section 8 of the [[Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act]] (POCSO) and sections 23 and 26 of the [[Juvenile Justice Act]].<ref name="Wire_convicted" /> Before his arrest he got wide-scale support from [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] in the state of [[Madhya Pradesh]], including local MLA [[Ramesh Mendola]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/asaram-served-summons-to-appear-in-jodhpur-by-august-30/article5065101.ece |title=Asaram served summons; to appear in Jodhpur by August 30 |access-date=13 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102122742/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/asaram-served-summons-to-appear-in-jodhpur-by-august-30/article5065101.ece |archive-date=2 January 2014 |url-status=live |newspaper=The Hindu |date=27 August 2013 |last1=Vincent |first1=Pheroze L.}}</ref> [[Ashok Singhal]] and [[Pravin Togadia]], presidents of [[Vishva Hindu Parishad]] deemed the arrest to be an attack on Hindu religious sentiments; [[Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad]], the student wing of the ruling party and the [[Hindu Janajagruti Samiti|Hindu Jagruti Manch]] organised violent demonstrations across the country, in protest.<ref name="Frontline 2013-10-04" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/asaram-bapu-is-real-saint-is-innocent-pravin-togadia/articleshow/22125229.cms?from=mdr|title=Asaram Bapu is real saint, is innocent: Pravin Togadia|date=2013-08-28|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-12-17}}</ref>

On 25 April 2018, Jodhpur Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Court convicted him guilty of the rape charges and pronounced a verdict of [[life imprisonment]], along with a fine of ₹500,000 which was to be paid to the victim.<ref name="theHindu_sentence"/> Two of his associates were awarded 20 years imprisonment.<ref name="Desk"/><ref name="rape2">{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/self-styled-godman-asaram-found-guilty-of-rape-of-teenager-in-2013/articleshow/63892726.cms|title=Self-styled godman Asaram found guilty of rape of teenager in 2013 – Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=25 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426034212/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/self-styled-godman-asaram-found-guilty-of-rape-of-teenager-in-2013/articleshow/63892726.cms|archive-date=26 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="The Economic Times">{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/asaram-verdict-today-security-beefed-up-in-3-states-media-entry-banned/articleshow/63903700.cms|title=Asaram Bapu verdict live updates : Godman along with two co- accused found guilty by Jodhpur Court|date=25 April 2018|work=The Economic Times|access-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425184749/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/asaram-verdict-today-security-beefed-up-in-3-states-media-entry-banned/articleshow/63903700.cms|archive-date=25 April 2018}}</ref> He and the other co-accuseds went on to appeal for a suspension of the sentence in the [[Rajasthan High Court]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/jaipur/asaram-cites-trial-by-media-in-rape-conviction-files-appeal-against-life-term/story-7DzUHltoz4TFq57rGif41J.html|title=Asaram cites 'trial by media' in rape conviction, files appeal against life term|date=3 July 2018|work=Hindustan Times |language=en |access-date=30 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930115801/https://www.hindustantimes.com/jaipur/asaram-cites-trial-by-media-in-rape-conviction-files-appeal-against-life-term/story-7DzUHltoz4TFq57rGif41J.html|archive-date=30 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> On 29 September 2018, the Court suspended the sentence of one of the co-accused;<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-asaram-bapu-rape-case-rajasthan-hc-suspends-sentence-of-co-accused-grants-her-bail-2669571|title=Asaram Bapu rape case: Rajasthan HC suspends sentence of co-accused, grants her bail|date=29 September 2018|work=DNA India |access-date=30 September 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930154429/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-asaram-bapu-rape-case-rajasthan-hc-suspends-sentence-of-co-accused-grants-her-bail-2669571|archive-date=30 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rajashan-high-court-admits-appeal-against-conviction-of-asaram-1940191|title=Rajashan High Court Admits Appeal Against Conviction of Asaram|work=NDTV |access-date=11 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181112021312/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rajashan-high-court-admits-appeal-against-conviction-of-asaram-1940191|archive-date=12 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> however, on 23 September 2019, Asaram's plea for suspension was rejected.<ref name=":1">{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/asaram-bapu-jodhpur-hc-rape-case-1602214-2019-09-23|title=Jodhpur HC dismisses Asaram Bapu's plea challenging life term in rape case|date=23 September 2019|website=India Today|language=en|url-status=live|access-date=2019-12-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211072358/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/asaram-bapu-jodhpur-hc-rape-case-1602214-2019-09-23|archive-date=11 December 2019}}</ref> Appeal said the trial court ignored many facts in its decision,“The present case is a clear and disturbing illustration of trial by media.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Media Trial|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/jaipur/asaram-cites-trial-by-media-in-rape-conviction-files-appeal-against-life-term/story-7DzUHltoz4TFq57rGif41J.html|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=trial by media|url=https://scroll.in/latest/885076/asaram-appeals-against-rape-conviction-in-rajasthan-high-court-alleges-trial-by-media|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=}}</ref> A separate appeal on the premises of the merits of the judgement, is ongoing.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/sep/23/asaram-bapus-plea-for-suspension-of-sentence-dismissed-by-jodhpur-hc-2037851.html|title=Asaram Bapu's plea for suspension of sentence dismissed by Jodhpur HC|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=2019-12-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211072357/https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/sep/23/asaram-bapus-plea-for-suspension-of-sentence-dismissed-by-jodhpur-hc-2037851.html|archive-date=11 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

From 2014–15, there have been numerous attacks against various witnesses and relatives of victims, in the Asaram case.<ref name="Caravan 2017-04-01" /><ref name="tehelka_taint_2013" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.oneindia.com/india/husband-of-woman-who-accused-narayan-sai-of-rape-attacked-1404435.html|title=Husband of woman who accused Narayan Sai of rape attacked|work=oneindia.com|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713045812/http://www.oneindia.com/india/husband-of-woman-who-accused-narayan-sai-of-rape-attacked-1404435.html|archive-date=13 July 2015|url-status=live|date=28 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/witness-in-asaram-rape-case-attacked/|title=Witness in Asaram rape case attacked|date=12 March 2014|work=The Indian Express|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305201940/http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/witness-in-asaram-rape-case-attacked/|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/five-held-for-attack-on-witnesses-in-rape-cases-against-asaram-sai/99/|title=Five held for attack on witnesses in rape cases against Asaram, Sai|date=19 March 2014|work=The Indian Express|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305195921/http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/five-held-for-attack-on-witnesses-in-rape-cases-against-asaram-sai/99/|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/another-key-witness-in-narayan-sai-case-attacked-in-haryana/|title=Guard left, 6th Asaram case witness attacked|date=14 May 2015|work=The Indian Express|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705085848/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/another-key-witness-in-narayan-sai-case-attacked-in-haryana/|archive-date=5 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/one-more-witness-in-asaram-case-is-shot-at/|title=Another Asaram Bapu case witness shot at, seventh attack till now|date=11 July 2015|work=The Indian Express|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712000126/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/one-more-witness-in-asaram-case-is-shot-at/|archive-date=12 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Teltumbde|first=Anand|author-link=Anand Teltumbde|date=2013|title=Who Are Behind India's Asarams?|url=https://www.epw.in/journal/2013/41/margin-speak/who-are-behind-indias-asarams.html|journal=[[Economic and Political Weekly]]|volume=48|issue=41|pages=10–11|issn=0012-9976|jstor=23528426|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/report/slide-show-1-rape-murder-prostitution-hawala-the-shady-world-of-asaram--son/20131204.htm|title=Rape, murder, prostitution, hawala: The shady world of Asaram & son|website=Rediff|language=en|access-date=2019-12-17}}</ref>

Another witness Rakesh Patel, a former devotee and Asaram's videographer was fired at by vehicle born assailants in March 2014.<ref name="Caravan 2017-04-01" /> Less than a week later, another witness Dinesh Bhagchandani, who was earlier thrown out of the ashram on spurious charges,<ref name="India Today 2008-08-24" /> was subject to an acid-attack but he managed to overpower one of his attackers; subsequent grilling revealed that the group were instructed by a devout follower of Asaram to assassinate witnesses in the case.<ref name="Caravan 2017-04-01" /> Raju Chandak, an erstwhile ashram secretary was shot at, after his deposition before Trivedi Commission.<ref name="open_dark_2013" /> Amrut Prajapati, a former aide of Asaram, who had turned against him, was shot and killed on 23 May 2014, after multiple prior attempts.<ref name="IE_rise_2013" /><ref name="open_dark_2013" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Amrut-Prajapati-witness-against-Asaram-succumbs-to-bullet-wounds/articleshow/36363482.cms|title=Amrut Prajapati, witness against Asaram, succumbs to bullet wounds|work=The Times of India|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150805025322/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Amrut-Prajapati-witness-against-Asaram-succumbs-to-bullet-wounds/articleshow/36363482.cms|archive-date=5 August 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/Vanzara-protected-Asaram-like-a-wall/articleshow/24067037.cms|title=Vanzara protected Asaram like a wall|work=The Times of India|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611161728/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/Vanzara-protected-Asaram-like-a-wall/articleshow/24067037.cms|archive-date=11 June 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/crime/asaram-is-alive-because-of-my-husband-my-husband-is-dead-because-of-him/99/|title=Asaram is alive because of my husband, my husband is dead because of him|date=24 June 2014|work=The Indian Express|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306015338/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/crime/asaram-is-alive-because-of-my-husband-my-husband-is-dead-because-of-him/99/|archive-date=6 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Narendra Yadav, a vernacular journalist who profiled multiple stories on Asaram's exploits was hacked on September 2014; he survived.<ref name="Caravan 2017-04-01" /> A former cook— Akhil Gupta, who was the prime witness in the Surat rape case, was shot and killed on 11 January 2015.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://m.indiatoday.in/story/asaram-case-5-things-to-know-about-akhil-gupta-shot-dead/1/412780.html|title=Asaram case: 5 things to know about Akhil Gupta who was shot dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810235756/http://m.indiatoday.in/story/asaram-case-5-things-to-know-about-akhil-gupta-shot-dead/1/412780.html|archive-date=10 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/police-say-not-ruling-out-asaram-link-to-well-planned-murder-of-rape-witness/99/|title=Looking at all possible angles, not ruling out Asaram link to 'well-planned' murder: police|date=14 January 2015|work=The Indian Express|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305180523/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/police-say-not-ruling-out-asaram-link-to-well-planned-murder-of-rape-witness/99/|archive-date=5 March 2016|access-date=12 July 2015}}</ref> Rahul Sachan, another of Asaram's ex-personal-assistants, who turned witness in the Jodhpur as well as Surat case, was subject to a stabbing by one of Asaram's follower after a court-session in February 2015; Sachan alleged the act to have been gestured by Asaram, himself.<ref name="Caravan 2017-04-01" /> Months later, Sachan went missing and police have failed to find any trace, till date; he had filed a plea at the Supreme Court for police protection, after being subject to a bevy of death threats by Asaram's followers, having mentioned about bringing more victims to the limelight.<ref name="Caravan 2017-04-01" /><ref name="Frontline 2017-10-13" /> Mahindra Chawla, Asaram's ex-personal-assistant and witness in both the cases, narrowly missed an attempted murder on May 2015 and now resides under state protection.<ref name="Surat_witness" />