India, Sept. 8 -- The Gujarat high court on Tuesday rejected a petition for temporary bail filed by self-styled godman Asumal Harpalani, alias Asaram, who is serving a life sentence for the rape of a girl at his Gandhinagar ashram between 2001 and 2006.

Asaram, 85, who was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Gandhinagar court in a 2013 rape case, had sought his release on temporary bail for 20 days, saying the Rajasthan high court last month granted him 20-day parole in another rape case.

Asaram had also applied to the Gujarat government for parole, but his request was rejected. He then approached the high court seeking temporary bail.

Senior lawyer Nirupam Nanavaty, appearing for Asaram, told a bench of justices Gita Gopi and LS Pirza...