Supreme Court Grants Interim Bail to Asaram Bapu in Rape Case for Medical Treatment

Supreme Court Grants Interim Bail to Asaram Bapu: Today, on January 23, 1990, self-styled godman Asaram Bapu was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court due to his alleged medical condition over a rape case in 2013. Aged 82, Asaram Bapu is serving life in the Jodhpur Central Jail for this case. His argument is that his health has worsened, and he needs treatment which can't be undertaken in government-run facilities.

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The bench, led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna, directed that bail would be granted to Asaram under strict conditions. The court asked him not to tamper with any evidence in any possibly existing manner or contact the victim or witnesses. It further added that he should not meet or have any relations with his own followers during the interim bail.

Asaram has been convicted for the sexual assault on a 16-year-old girl at his ashram in Rajasthan. The case was one that created an up-roar all over the nation and consequently saw Asaram sentenced to life imprisonment in 2018 by the trial court of Jodhpur.

During the hearing, it was maintained that the applicant has numerous ailments and an ailment related to the heart and chronic diseases. He said that the applicant needed special treatment that did not exist behind the prison's walls. But the prosecution opposed the plea against the bail by highlighting how grievous the crime was and the kind of harm Asaram could cause by influencing witnesses or creating obstructions to the process of law.

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The Supreme Court made clarifications that the interim bail is granted purely for the purpose of the medical treatment and warned of strict actions for violation of its conditions. Reports will be kept for the health of Asaram, as he will be on strict supervision even during his release.

The response has been mixed reaction, while criticizing the leniency extended towards a man found guilty of committing such a gruesome crime, another section argues there is a requirement for humanitarian reasons. The high court has passed an order to re-examine the bail provisions to Asaram as soon as he completes his treatment and declares fit.

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