The long-running legal battle surrounding the Asaram Motera Ashram in Ahmedabad has reached a decisive turning point, with the Gujarat High Court clearing the way for potential demolition of the controversial site. Located along the banks of the Sabarmati River, the ashram now faces imminent action after the court dismissed its appeal.
A division bench of the Gujarat High Court upheld an earlier ruling by a single judge, which had validated the district collector’s order to reclaim the land. This decision effectively removes the final legal hurdle, allowing authorities to proceed with reclaiming the property at any time.
In its observations, the High Court took a firm stance, stating that the ashram had not only violated the terms and conditions under which the land was originally allotted but had also encroached illegally on the Sabarmati riverfront land. The court emphasized that such encroachments cannot be regularized under any circumstances, especially when they involve environmentally sensitive riverbank areas.
During the hearing, the ashram authorities requested a four-week stay on the order to allow them time to approach the Supreme Court. However, the court made it clear that any such relief would only be granted if the ashram submitted an affidavit agreeing to vacate the land.
The state government’s counsel assured the court that a fresh notice would be issued under Section 202 of the land revenue code, after which the process of reclaiming possession would begin.
The Asaram Motera Ashram, which has existed for nearly 45 years, had been under scrutiny following earlier findings by the district collector that it had breached multiple land allocation conditions. This triggered the prolonged legal dispute that has now culminated in the High Court’s verdict.
Meanwhile, self-styled godman Asaram Bapu has been in jail since 2013. In January 2023, a Gandhinagar court sentenced him to life imprisonment in a rape case involving a former disciple. He was also convicted in another case in Rajasthan related to the sexual assault of a minor.
With the court’s latest ruling, authorities are now expected to move forward swiftly, making the future of the Asaram Motera Ashram uncertain.