New Delhi, 06 August (H.S.): The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to grant interim bail to Asaram in a rape case on health grounds. However, a bench headed by Justice M.M. Sundresh allowed Asaram to take assistance from a caretaker of his choice.
The Supreme Court also stated that if Asaram’s health condition deteriorates, he may approach the court again seeking interim bail.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) had informed the Supreme Court that Asaram did not require hospitalisation but needed round-the-clock medical monitoring.
During the earlier hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Rajasthan government, had argued that Asaram was physically fit and had visited Ayodhya and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple three months ago. Mehta said that Asaram had travelled and walked during his visits.
While hearing Asaram’s bail plea on June 30, the Supreme Court had issued notice to the Rajasthan government. The apex court had refused to suspend Asaram’s conviction and directed that the medical facilities being provided to him in jail should continue. The court had observed that it would consider granting bail only if there was a serious threat to his health.
Asaram has been lodged in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur Central Jail for nearly 11 years, and his bail pleas have been rejected more than a dozen times. He was arrested in 2013 following allegations of sexual assault. A case of sexual abuse was registered against him at the Jodhpur ashram on August 20, 2013.
Apart from this case, two sisters from Surat had also accused Asaram of rape at his ashram in 2001.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
