The Supreme Court on Tuesday as reported by the Indian Express granted interim bail on medical grounds to self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, who is serving a life sentence after being convicted in a 2013 rape case.
A bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and Rajesh Nindal granted interim relief to the 86-year-old until March 31, 2025, citing health concerns.
This marks the first instance of Asaram Bapu receiving interim bail since his arrest over a decade ago.
The court directed Asaram Bapu to refrain from tampering with evidence or meeting his followers after his release. In January 2023, a Gandhinagar sessions court had convicted him in the 2013 rape case involving a Surat-based woman.
Asaram later moved the Gujarat High Court seeking suspension of his life sentence, but the plea was dismissed on August 29, 2024.
He then approached the Supreme Court, which issued a notice to the Gujarat government on November 22, 2024.
The Supreme Court took into account Asaram Bapu’s age-related health issues, including a heart condition. He is currently receiving treatment at the Arogya Medical Centre in Jodhpur. Senior Advocate Devadatt Kamat, along with Advocates Rajesh Gulab Inamdar and Shashwat Anand, represented the self-styled godman before the court.
Senior Advocate Devadatt Kamat, along with Advocates Rajesh Gulab Inamdar and Shashwat Anand, represented Asaram Bapu, emphasizing both the merits of the case and his deteriorating health. They argued that the conviction relied solely on the prosecutor’s testimony without corroborative evidence, highlighting inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case. However, the Supreme Court clarified that it would not delve into the merits or suspend the sentence, limiting the relief strictly to medical grounds.
Kamat argued that Asaram’s advanced age and multiple ailments posed life-threatening risks, urging the court to grant interim bail for medical treatment outside prison.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the state of Gujarat, opposed the plea, asserting that sufficient medical facilities were available within custody.
