Supreme Court grants interim bail to self-styled godman Asaram on medical grounds

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted medical bail to 86-year-old self-styled godman and spiritual leader Asaram till March 31, in view of his deteriorating health.

A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Justice Rajesh Bindal passed the order while disposing of his special leave petition for suspension of sentence, restricting the relief strictly to medical grounds.

Appearing for Asaram, senior advocate Devadatt Kamat, along with Advocates Rajesh Gulab Inamdar and Shashwat Anand, pressed on both the merits of the case and Asaram’s medical condition.

The counsel argued that the conviction was based solely on the testimony of the victim without corroborating evidences. They pointed towards alleged inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case. However, the court preferred not to delve into the merits and confined its consideration to the petitioner’s health issues.

On the medical grounds, Kamat, highlighted Asaram’s advanced age, a history of heart attacks, and other severe comorbidities, arguing that the continued incarceration could jeopardise his life.

The counsel said that the court may grant bail to give him access to urgent medical care, outside of jail.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the State of Gujarat, opposed the plea, emphasising the gravity of Asaram’s conviction and asserting that adequate medical facilities were available to him in custody.

After weighing the submissions, the court granted medical bail till March 31, 2025, enabling Asaram to undergo necessary treatment.

The bench clarified that the relief was granted solely on humanitarian grounds and directed compliance with conditions imposed during the bail period. The court also indicated that Asaram’s medical status could be reassessed closer to the expiration of the bail term.

According to his counsel, Asaram, who has been serving a life sentence for over 11 years following his conviction for sexual assault, will now have an opportunity to address his health concerns outside custody.

The court’s decision highlights its focus on balancing judicial accountability with humanitarian considerations, ensuring relief for elderly and ailing prisoners in deserving cases, they said.