SC Junks Asaram Bapu's Plea For Suspension Of Sentence On Medical Grounds

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a special leave petition filed by self-styled godman and rape convict Asaram Bapu against the Rajasthan High Court order rejecting his prayer for suspension of sentence on medical grounds.

A bench of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta heard the matter and told Asaram's counsel that he may approach the high court for bail.

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi appeared for Asaram and told the court that he has had heart attacks and does not want to take risk of an open heart surgery. He further said that Asaram is willing to undergo treatment in police custody.

The bench refused to entertain his petition. The top court however, granted him liberty to approach the high court and also directed the high court to expedite hearing in the main appeal.

The top court said that it is issuing directions without commenting on the merits of his case and in view of his acceptance of the State's proposal to allow treatment in police custody.

Asaram was arrested in 2013 for raping a minor in Jodhpur under POCSO and other sections of IPC. He was convicted by trial court in 2018 and was sentenced to life imprisonment. Two women from Gujarat also filed a complaint against him and his son allegeing rape.

In January 2023, he was also convited by Gujarat court in the rape case and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

The Rajasthan High Court had rejected his application for suspension of sentence for medical treatment, observing that a law and order situation may arise if he is permitted to undergo treatment "on his own" instead of in "police custody."

82-year old Asaram Bapu is currently serving a life sentence in Central Jail, Jodhpur for secual assault against a minor. His petition against conviction by the Jodhpur trial court is also pending in the Rajasthan High Court. Today, the Supreme Court has directed the high court to expedite hearing in this appeal.