Supreme Court Dismisses Asaram Bapu’s Plea for Suspension of Sentence in Minor’s Rape Case, Orders Expedited Hearing
New Delhi, 01-03-2024: The Supreme Court delivered a decisive blow to self-styled godman Asaram Bapu on Friday, rejecting his plea challenging the Rajasthan High Court’s order denying suspension of his sentence on health grounds in a case involving the rape of a minor.
The Bench, comprising Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta, refrained from delving into the merits of the case but made it clear that if the state agrees to allow treatment in police custody, Asaram Bapu can seek permission from the High Court to undergo treatment at an Ayurvedic Hospital.
Furthermore, the bench directed the Rajasthan High Court to expedite the hearing on his appeal against conviction.
The Rajasthan High Court had previously turned down Asaram Bapu’s fourth application for suspension of sentence, expressing concerns about potential law and order issues if he were allowed to receive treatment outside police custody due to his sizable following.
Currently serving a life sentence in Central Jail, Jodhpur, for the rape of a minor, Asaram Bapu faced another conviction in January 2023 in a separate rape case in Gujarat, earning him a second life imprisonment sentence.
During the bail plea hearing in the Supreme Court, Asaram Bapu presented a discharge report from AIIMS Jodhpur indicating a need for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) and other medical procedures unavailable in Jodhpur. He emphasized the urgency of his medical condition, citing multiple instances of severe chest pain requiring treatment at AIIMS Jodhpur within a short span.
Acknowledging the urgency of the matter, the Supreme Court directed the High Court to consider any future applications regarding his medical treatment promptly and expedite the hearing of his main appeal.
The petition was filed by Advocates Rajesh Inamdar and Shashwat Anand, with Senior Advocate Devadatt Kamat representing Asaram Bapu.
In a separate ruling last month, the Rajasthan High Court denied Asaram Bapu’s parole application, citing concerns about potential law and order disruptions in accordance with the Rajasthan Prisoners Release on Parole Rules, 2021.
