The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted interim bail on medical grounds till March 31, 2025 to self-styled godman Asaram Bapu in a rape case.
The Bench of Justice MM Sundresh and Justice Rajesh Bindal granted bail to Asaram Bapu solely on humanitarian grounds, enabling him to undergo medical treatment.
While disposing of Asaram’s plea for the suspension of his jail sentence, the Bench directed Asaram to comply with certain bail conditions and also ordered a reassessment of his medical status closer to end of the interim bail period’s expiry.
Appearing for Bapu, Senior Advocate Devadatt Kamat, assisted by Advocates Rajesh Gulab Inamdar and Shashwat Anand, argued that Asaram’s conviction was based solely on the prosecutrix’s testimony without corroborating evidence.
They contended that there were inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case.
The Apex Court, however, chose not to examine the merits of the matter, focusing solely on Asaram’s health issues.
The Counsels representing Asaram cited his old age, history of heart attacks and severe comorbidities, requesting the Bench to grant bail for urgent medical care.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the government, opposed the bail petition. Highlighting the seriousness of the case, SG Mehta asserted that adequate medical facilities were available in custody to cater to Asaram’s medical needs.
In January 2023, a sessions court in Gandhinagar had convicted Asaram under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), for repeated rape of a female disciple at a Surat Ashram.
An appeal against this trial court verdict is pending before the Gujarat High Court.
Asaram, in the meanwhile, moved a petition before the High Court seeking interim release from jail.
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