Gujarat High Court Grants Asaram Bapu 3-Month Bail On Medical Grounds After Split Verdict
The Gujarat High Court extended temporary bail for three months for Asaram Bapu, citing medical reasons, after a split verdict.
The Gujarat High Court on Friday extended temporary bail for three months to self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, convicted in a 2013 rape case and serving a life sentence, citing medical reasons. The decision was made by Justice AS Supehia, the tie-breaker judge, after a division bench earlier in the day delivered a split verdict on his plea.
Justice Supehia, in his order, stated, “On an overall appreciation of the respective orders passed by the (division) bench and in light of the order of the Supreme Court, I am of the opinion that the applicant is entitled for interim bail… It cannot be said that an 86-year-old ailing person can be confined to a particular therapy or system of medicines”, Live Law reported.
The Supreme Court had earlier granted Asaram interim bail till 31 March on medical grounds. His counsel had argued before the Gujarat High Court that doctors recommended Panchkarma therapy, a 90-day Ayurvedic treatment, necessitating an extension of his temporary bail.
Split Verdict on Asaram Bapu's Bail Plea
Earlier in the day, a division bench comprising Justice Ilesh J Vora and Justice Sandeep N Bhatt delivered opposing rulings. Justice Vora granted Asaram temporary bail for three months, whereas Justice Bhatt rejected the plea.
Justice Bhatt, in his dissenting opinion, pointed out that Asaram had visited multiple allopathic and Ayurvedic doctors between 28 January and 19 February but only once each, without taking follow-up treatment.
“It is very surprising from the case papers produced by the applicant on record that though it is claimed that Ayurvedic treatment was going on, but from these papers, it transpires that Asaram Bapu approached the concerned hospital for his ailment only on 1 March, despite being on interim bail since 7 January,” Justice Bhatt noted referring to his claim of undergoing Panchkarma therapy, as quoted by Live Law.
He maintained that Asaram had not established a necessary requirement for bail on medical grounds.
On the other hand, Justice Vora considered Asaram’s age and his medical condition, highlighting his hospitalisation in AIIMS Jodhpur in 2024, where he was diagnosed with ischemic heart disease, hypertension, hypothyroidism, anaemia with gastrointestinal bleeding. He noted that an eight-member medical board had advised a coronary artery bypass surgery, classifying Asaram as a “high-risk patient.”
Justice Vora ruled that due to his serious ailments, Asaram required specialised care and continuous monitoring, which was unavailable in jail. He granted the three-month temporary bail on the same conditions imposed by the Supreme Court but clarified that this would not automatically entitle him to seek an extension.
Justice Supehia, concurring with Justice Vora, noted that the state had not indicated any misuse of the liberty granted during the previous interim bail period. “Under the circumstances, the application is allowed by confirming the view of Justice Ilesh Vora. The point of difference of opinion is accordingly answered,” he stated, as per Live Law.
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