In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India, on January 7, granted interim bail to self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, who is serving a life sentence after being convicted in a rape case. The bail is granted on medical grounds, allowing him to seek treatment outside the confines of jail. The relief is temporary and valid until March 31, 2025, subject to several conditions.
The decision was passed by a bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal, which emphasized that the interim bail is being granted solely on humanitarian grounds due to Asaram Bapu’s health concerns. The Court also stipulated that Asaram should refrain from meeting his followers during his release, and this condition must be strictly followed throughout his temporary bail period.
Asaram’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate Devadatt Kamat, argued that the godman was suffering from several serious health issues, including advanced age, a history of heart attacks, and other comorbidities. His counsel contended that continued imprisonment could significantly compromise his health, especially considering the lack of adequate medical facilities in the jail for treating such conditions. The petitioners pointed to the gravity of his health concerns and urged the Court to grant bail to ensure that he could access specialized medical care outside prison.
On the other hand, the Gujarat Government, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, opposed the bail plea. Mehta stressed the severity of the crimes Asaram Bapu had been convicted for, highlighting that he was found guilty of raping his female disciple at his Ahmedabad-based Ashram. Mehta also argued that adequate medical facilities were available within the prison, and there was no necessity to grant bail on health grounds.
The Court, however, decided not to delve into the merits of the case or the criminal charges but focused solely on Asaram’s health condition. The bench clarified that the interim bail was not a reflection on the merits of the conviction, but rather a response to the humanitarian plea based on his medical condition.
Asaram Bapu was convicted in 2018 by a Gujarat Sessions Court for the rape of a female disciple at his ashram in Ahmedabad. He was found guilty under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Section 376 (rape), Section 377 (unnatural offences), Section 342 (wrongful confinement), Section 506 (criminal intimidation), and Section 354 (assault or criminal force with intent to outrage a woman’s modesty). The Court sentenced him to life imprisonment for these offenses. Following his conviction, Asaram filed an appeal with the Gujarat High Court, seeking suspension of his sentence, but the plea was rejected in August 2023.
Asaram Bapu’s legal battle has not been limited to this one case. He had previously sought suspension of his life sentence through the Supreme Court in 2023, following his conviction in another rape case. In a separate ruling, the Supreme Court had dismissed his plea challenging the Rajasthan High Court’s decision in the other rape case in March 2023. He was also allowed medical treatment at the ‘Arogayadham Center’ in Jodhpur in March 2024 while in police custody.
Asaram’s interim bail decision follows a sequence of legal proceedings, including parole granted in December 2024 for 17 days to seek further treatment. His legal team continues to press for suspension of his life sentence, with the Supreme Court’s upcoming review of his medical condition likely to be a key point in his ongoing legal challenges.
The Court’s order today is limited to medical grounds, with Asaram’s health being the primary focus, and the future of his conviction and sentence remains under judicial review.
BY – KARTIK
