SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY.

▮ Identity sealed · POCSO §23

Defense lawyer, Senior Advocate; BJP politician

Delhi

“Subramanian Swamy is a senior advocate, economist, and prominent politician who served as a key legal defender and public advocate for Asaram Bapu during the 2013 rape trial. Swamy argued that the rape charges were part of a politically motivated conspiracy, comparing Asaram's imprisonment to the targeting of other political and religious figures.”

Subramanian Swamy is a well-known Indian politician, economist, and senior advocate who has served as a member of parliament and as the Union Minister for Commerce and Law. Known for his outspoken views and active involvement in public interest litigation, Swamy has been a polarizing figure in Indian public life. In 2015, Swamy joined the legal defense panel for Asaram Bapu, appearing in court and holding press conferences to advocate for the godman's release on bail.

Unlike other defense lawyers who focused strictly on procedural law, Swamy adopted a highly political defense strategy. He publicly claimed that the rape charges against Asaram Bapu were entirely fabricated as part of a deeper political conspiracy orchestrated by the UPA government to target influential Hindu spiritual leaders and weaken their organizations. Swamy compared Asaram's arrest to the targeting of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham seer Jayendra Saraswathi, arguing that the evidence against Asaram was legally unsustainable and would collapse during trial.

Swamy filed a bail petition on behalf of Asaram in the Rajasthan High Court, arguing that the godman's fundamental rights were being violated by his prolonged detention without bail. He asserted that the prosecution was deliberately delaying the trial to keep Asaram in jail. However, the High Court dismissed the petition, reiterating the severity of the charges and the credible threats of witness tampering. Swamy's public support for Asaram drew criticism from civil society and victims' rights groups who accused him of using his political clout to influence the judicial process.

Swamy remains an active political commentator and advocate, frequently raising issues related to national sovereignty, economics, and temple management. His role in the Asaram Bapu case highlights the highly politicized nature of the public debates surrounding the trial, where spiritual authority and political influence clashed with the criminal justice system. His arguments regarding conspiracy theories continue to be popular among Asaram's loyal followers.