SC seeks Rajasthan’s response on Asaram’s interim bail plea on medical grounds

New Delhi, July 17 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Rajasthan government to examine the medical reports of self-styled godman Asaram Bapu and inform whether his health condition warrants the grant of interim bail on medical grounds.

A Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Prasanna B. Varale was hearing Asaram’s plea challenging the Rajasthan High Court judgment upholding his conviction and life sentence in the 2013 minor rape case, along with his application seeking interim bail on health grounds.

Appearing for the Rajasthan government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that Asaram was presently fit and had visited Ayodhya and Kashi Vishwanath around three months ago. “Three months back, he went to Ayodhya, Kashi Vishwanath, he walked everywhere. He is in fit condition. We will take instructions,” SG Mehta told the Justice Sundresh-led Bench, adding that he would seek fresh instructions from the authorities and place the state government’s stand before the top court.

“If you say there is no need, we will not do it. One thing is if his condition is so serious… we don’t want ourselves or you to be blamed,” the Justice Sundresh-led Bench observed.

SG Mehta further submitted that Asaram was experiencing bleeding due to a gastrointestinal problem, which appeared to be temporary, and was under medication.

On the other hand, Asaram’s counsel maintained that his client’s condition was serious and that he remained at “high risk”. The Supreme Court said it would await the state government’s assessment, observing that if the medical condition warranted, interim bail could be considered for a limited period solely for treatment.

The Justice Sundresh-led Bench directed the Rajasthan government to file its response by July 21 and posted the matter for further hearing on the same day.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had issued notice to the Rajasthan government on Asaram’s special leave petition (SLP) challenging the May 27 judgment of the Rajasthan High Court’s Jodhpur Bench upholding his conviction and life sentence in the 2013 minor rape case.

At the time, the apex court had declined to grant interim medical bail, saying it would first hear the state government’s response.

The Rajasthan High Court had upheld the life sentence awarded to Asaram by a Special POCSO Court while acquitting co-accused Shilpi and Sharad Chandra.

Following the High Court verdict, Asaram, who had been out on interim medical bail, surrendered before the Jodhpur Central Jail on May 28.

He was convicted by a Special POCSO Court in April 2018 for sexually assaulting a minor student at his Jodhpur ashram in 2013 and is also serving a life sentence in another sexual assault case involving a woman disciple in Gujarat.

–IANS

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