Jodhpur Minor Rape: The Manai Ashram Case.

The Jodhpur minor rape case represents the primary legal anchor and flagship criminal case against Asaram Bapu. The case began in August 2013 when a 16-year-old girl, a student at a residential school (gurukul) associated with Asaram's organization in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, accused the self-styled godman of sexual assault. According to the survivor's complaint, the assault took place on the night of 15 August 2013 at Asaram's ashram in Manai village near Jodhpur, Rajasthan, under the pretext of performing rituals to rid the girl of evil spirits.

The survivor's parents, who were long-time dedicated disciples of Asaram, initially faced severe resistance from the ashram administration when attempting to report the incident. They traveled to New Delhi and registered a "Zero FIR" with the Delhi Police, which was subsequently transferred to the Jodhpur Police for active investigation. A medical examination of the victim confirmed sexual assault, establishing critical physical evidence early in the process.

Asaram initially ignored police summons and attempted to evade arrest, leading to tense standoffs between police, media, and his devout followers at his ashram in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Following public outrage and discussions in the Indian Parliament, Jodhpur Police arrested Asaram from his Indore ashram on 1 September 2013. He was flown to Jodhpur and placed in judicial custody, where he remained continuously without bail for over a decade.

Due to high-security concerns and the threat of large-scale violence from Asaram's followers, the trial was conducted inside Jodhpur Central Jail by a Special SC/ST Court. The prosecution presented a combination of medical evidence, circumstantial evidence, and the consistent testimony of the minor victim, which the court found highly credible. Asaram's defense team, led by high-profile lawyers including Ram Jethmalani, made several controversial claims attempting to discredit the victim.

On 25 April 2018, Special Judge Madhusudhan Sharma delivered the verdict from within the jail premises. Asaram was found guilty of rape, wrongful confinement, criminal intimidation, and criminal conspiracy under IPC Sections 376, 342, 506, and 120-B, as well as provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life, and a fine was imposed by the court.

The legal battle continued through numerous appeals in higher courts. In May 2026, the Rajasthan High Court division bench, comprising Justices Arun Monga and Yogendra Kumar Purohit, rejected his final appeal against the life sentence. The court upheld the conviction under IPC Section 376(2)(f) for raping a minor in a position of trust, noting that the survivor's testimony was "devastating and irrefutable."

Throughout the trial, witness protection emerged as a critical issue, as several witnesses were attacked or killed (see the Witness Killings case file). The Jodhpur trial is widely regarded as a historic milestone in Indian judicial history, demonstrating that spiritual authority and political influence cannot shield individuals from criminal prosecution under child protection laws.

This case file serves as a verified synthesis of the Jodhpur trial records, public disclosures, and judgments. It highlights the systemic difficulties faced by victims' families when prosecuting powerful religious figures and stands as a primary reference point for child safety and legal accountability in spiritual institutions.