New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India granted medical bail to self-styled godman Asaram Bapu on Tuesday, allowing him to remain out of jail until March 31 for medical treatment.
A bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal extended the relief on humanitarian grounds, enabling Asaram to seek necessary medical care. During the proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Gujarat government, opposed the release, arguing that Asaram had access to adequate medical facilities while in custody.
On the other hand, Asaram’s defense counsel raised concerns about inconsistencies in the victim's testimony. Without addressing the merits of the case, the bench, led by Justice Sundresh, imposed conditions on Asaram’s release, including a restriction on meeting his followers.
The court also suggested that Asaram’s health condition be reassessed before the expiration of his medical bail on March 31.
Asaram Bapu was convicted in January 2023 in Gujarat for a decade-old sexual assault case involving a woman disciple, with the court sentencing him to life imprisonment. The victim accused Asaram of repeatedly raping her at his ashram in 2013.
Prior to this, Asaram was also convicted by a special POCSO court in Jodhpur for raping a minor girl and sentenced to life imprisonment. He has been incarcerated since September 2, 2013.
In November 2024, Asaram was granted 30 days of parole by the Jodhpur High Court for treatment at a private Ayurvedic hospital in Bhagat Ki Kothi, Jodhpur. This was his second parole in 11 years; he had been granted a 7-day parole earlier in August.
With IANS inputs