Supreme Court Grants Interim Bail to Asaram on Medical Grounds Till March 31

Er Mukesh Singh

The Supreme Court granted Asaram interim bail in a 2013 rape case on medical grounds, allowing his release until March 31.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted interim bail to self-styled godman Asaram, who has been serving a sentence in connection with a 2013 rape case, on medical grounds. The court allowed his release until March 31, 2025, citing his health condition.

Asaram, who has been imprisoned since 2018, had sought bail on the grounds of health issues, including the need for medical treatment. The Supreme Court’s decision comes after reviewing the medical reports and considering the need for proper care outside the prison.

In its order, the court stipulated that Asaram would have to surrender back to prison once the interim bail period expires. The bail is conditional, and Asaram will have to comply with the medical treatment and other requirements set by the authorities during the bail period.

Asaram was convicted in 2018 for the sexual assault of a minor in his ashram in Gujarat. The case has been a subject of widespread media attention and controversy. His release on medical bail is expected to spark further debates regarding the treatment of high-profile inmates in the country.

The Supreme Court granted interim bail to 86-year-old self-styled godman Asaram in the 2013 rape case, citing his health issues. A bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal allowed the plea for medical reasons, as Asaram is suffering from several age-related conditions, including a heart ailment.

The court issued strict conditions for his release, prohibiting him from meeting any followers during the bail period. Asaram’s health condition was considered a significant factor in the decision, with the court acknowledging the need for specialized medical care outside the prison. The interim bail is granted until March 31, 2025, after which Asaram must return to prison.

In 2023, Asaram was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Gujarat court for repeatedly raping a girl at his ashram in Gujarat. He is currently serving his sentence at Jodhpur prison. Last year, the Gujarat High Court rejected his request for sentence suspension.

The Supreme Court’s decision to grant interim bail is conditional, with Asaram prohibited from meeting his followers during the bail period. Additionally, the highest court ordered the deployment of security guards to monitor his activities throughout the duration of the bail, ensuring compliance with the conditions set for his release. The interim bail is granted until March 31, 2025, after which he is required to return to prison.

On August 29, 2024, the Gujarat High Court rejected Asaram’s request for a respite, emphasizing that there was no valid basis for granting one. The court’s decision upheld the life sentence in the 2013 rape case, maintaining that his appeal for sentence suspension was not substantiated.

However, the Supreme Court’s ruling on his interim bail was based solely on medical grounds. The top court allowed Asaram’s release until March 31, 2025, due to his health issues, including age-related ailments and a heart condition. The Supreme Court made it clear that any further examination would focus exclusively on his medical situation, rather than any legal arguments related to his conviction.

Within days of Asaram’s return to Jodhpur prison following his 17-day medical release, the Supreme Court granted him temporary bail once again. On December 18, 2024, the self-styled godman had been allowed to leave prison for medical treatment.

The bench, led by Justice M.M. Sundresh, stated that Asaram was “in his last leg,” emphasizing his frail health as the primary reason for their decision. The court, which also included Justice Rajesh Bindal, clarified that the temporary bail was being granted solely on medical grounds, without revisiting the specifics of the charges against him. As per the ruling, Asaram has been granted liberty until March 31, 2025.

The Gujarat government, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, expressed concerns about the security of witnesses in the case, citing instances where witnesses had been killed. The government requested that Asaram be accompanied by armed police officers at all times during his temporary bail. Additionally, the Gujarat government mentioned that Asaram had refused to receive treatment for his heart condition at the hospital, despite the state’s efforts to provide the necessary medical care, as reported by PTI.

Senior advocate Devadatt Kamat, along with counsel Rajesh Inamdar, argued that Asaram’s health was in such a critical condition that there was little chance of survival. Despite the state providing armed constables for his security, Asaram opposed this arrangement, claiming that it might restrict his choice of hospital or medical treatment. This was part of the ongoing legal battle over his temporary bail on medical grounds.

COURTESY: MIRROR NOW

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