In a significant breakthrough, the Gujarat Police's Surat Crime Branch apprehended Tamraj Shahu, a fugitive on the run for ten years, in connection with the high-profile Asaram Bapu and Narayan Sai rape cases. Shahu had been evading arrest since 2013, making his capture a notable achievement for law enforcement agencies.

The arrest comes on the heels of recent legal developments involving Asaram Bapu. The Supreme Court granted interim bail to the 86-year-old self-styled godman on January 7, 2025, citing medical grounds. Asaram, who has been serving a life sentence since 2018 for the rape of a minor at his Jodhpur ashram in 2013, received bail effective until March 31, 2025.

Following his release, Asaram returned to his ashram in Pal village, Jodhpur, where he was welcomed by supporters. His interim bail from the Rajasthan High Court mirrors the relief granted by the Supreme Court earlier in a separate Gujarat case.

The capture of Tamraj Shahu is expected to shed new light on the criminal activities associated with Asaram Bapu's ashrams. Authorities anticipate that Shahu's interrogation will provide crucial insights into unresolved aspects of the case, potentially leading to further arrests and a deeper understanding of the operations within the ashrams.