Supreme Court Approves Medical Bail for Asaram Bapu Until March 31
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New Delhi, Jan 7 (NationPress) The Supreme Court has granted medical bail to the self-proclaimed godman Asaram Bapu until March 31.
A bench consisting of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal of the apex court extended this relief strictly on humanitarian grounds to enable him to receive necessary medical treatment.
During the proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Gujarat government, argued that Asaram should remain in custody as he had access to adequate medical facilities there.
Conversely, Asaram’s legal counsel pointed out significant discrepancies in the testimony of the complainant.
Without delving into the case's merits, the Justice Sundresh-led bench instructed Asaram to comply with the stipulated conditions, which include refraining from meeting his followers upon his release.
The top court also recommended a reassessment of Asaram’s health condition prior to the conclusion of his medical bail.
In January 2023, a court in Gujarat convicted Asaram for a sexual assault case dating back a decade, sentencing him to life imprisonment.
The victim accused Asaram of repeatedly raping her at his ashram in 2013.
Prior to this conviction, the self-styled godman was found guilty of raping a minor by a special POCSO court in Jodhpur, resulting in another life sentence.
He has been incarcerated since September 2, 2013.
On November 7, 2024, the Jodhpur High Court granted him a 30-day parole for treatment at a private Ayurvedic hospital located in Bhagat Ki Kothi in Jodhpur.
This marks the second time in 11 years he has received parole for medical treatment, having previously been granted seven days in August.
