New Delhi, June 30 (HS): The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought a response from the Rajasthan government on a plea filed by self-styled godman Asaram seeking suspension of his sentence and bail after the Rajasthan High Court upheld his conviction and life imprisonment in a 2013 minor rape case.

A Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Sheel Nagu issued notice to the state government and directed it to file its response within two weeks.

During the hearing, counsel for Asaram submitted that the petitioner is over 80 years old and suffering from multiple ailments. Opposing the plea, the state's counsel informed the court that Asaram had been taken to a hospital on June 2 and that there was no immediate threat to his health.

The Bench observed that it was not inclined to grant bail at this stage. It said the plea for bail would be considered only if there was a grave medical necessity, such as a life-threatening condition.

The court also directed that the medical facilities presently being provided to Asaram should continue. It further allowed the petitioner to seek urgent listing of the matter in case of any deterioration in his health.

The counsel for Asaram argued that his client had been subjected to a social media trial, a submission opposed by the counsel representing the victim.

On May 27, the Rajasthan High Court upheld Asaram's conviction and life sentence in the case while acquitting him of charges relating to gang rape and penetrative sexual assault under certain provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Asaram was convicted in April 2018 for sexually assaulting a minor girl at his ashram and was sentenced to life imprisonment under various provisions of the IPC, the POCSO Act and the Juvenile Justice Act.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar