SC Provides Interim Bail to Asaram Bapu on Medical Grounds, He Remains Incarcerated

New Delhi/Jaipur, Jan 7 (NationPress) The Supreme Court has granted interim bail to the 83-year-old self-proclaimed godman Asaram Bapu until March 31 in connection with the rape case involving a female devotee at his ashram in Surat.

The ruling was issued by a bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal, who stipulated that Bapu must not meet with his followers upon his release from Jodhpur Central Jail, where he is serving a life sentence for another rape conviction.

In the hearing, Senior Advocate Devadatt Kamat, along with Advocates Rajesh Gulab Inamdar and Shashwat Anand, emphasized both the merits of the case and Asaram's health conditions. They argued that his conviction relied solely on the testimony of the prosecutrix without corroborating evidence and highlighted inconsistencies in the prosecution's claims.

However, the apex court chose not to examine the merits of the case and limited its focus to the petitioner's health issues, thus dismissing the special leave petition.

Sources revealed that despite receiving bail, Asaram may find it challenging to leave jail due to his separate life sentence for raping a minor. Over the past five months, he has been granted parole three times.

Asaram’s attorney, R.S. Saluja, mentioned that this marks the first occasion where the Supreme Court has granted bail. Nonetheless, Asaram's release is hindered by his conviction in the second case, which involves allegations from a woman associated with his ashram near Gandhinagar. Preparations are being made to file a bail application in the Jodhpur High Court regarding the second conviction.

While granting bail, the Supreme Court specified that Asaram must refrain from meeting his followers or attempting to tamper with evidence.

In 2013, Asaram was apprehended by Jodhpur Police at an ashram in Indore. Following five years of hearings, he was sentenced to life imprisonment on April 25, 2018, for the rape of a minor.

Another rape allegation was brought forth by a woman from an ashram in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. On January 31, 2023, the court also sentenced Asaram to life imprisonment in this case.

Meanwhile, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the State of Gujarat, opposed the plea, emphasizing the seriousness of Asaram's conviction and asserting that adequate medical facilities are available for him while in custody.

After considering the arguments, the apex court granted medical bail until March 31, 2025, allowing Asaram to receive necessary treatment.

The bench clarified that this relief was granted solely on humanitarian grounds and mandated adherence to the conditions set during the bail period.

The Supreme Court also indicated that Asaram's medical condition could be reevaluated closer to the end of the bail term.