Rape case: SC rejects interim bail plea of Asaram Bapu

Supreme Court on Monday rejected the interim bail plea of self-styled religious figure Asaram Bapu, who is facing trial in rape cases, on health grounds and asked him to get his treatment done in Rajasthan in judicial custody itself.

A bench of Justices A K Sikri and N V Ramana said if Asaram wanted to undergo treatment, he could get the diagnosis done at AIIMS, Jodhpur or at Rajasthan Ayurvedic hospital while staying in judicial custody.

The apex court’s direction came after Asaram said he wanted to undergo ayurvedic treatment in Delhi for which he needed one month’s interim bail.

“If you (Asaram) want ayurvedic treatment, you can get that in Rajasthan itself. There is no need for interim bail as AIIMS medical board has also said that the health condition is stable,” the bench said.

Counsel appearing for Rajasthan government said they were ready to provide all possible treatment to Asaram at the hospitals in the state.

The bench, however, clarified that Asaram’s supporters should not be allowed in the hospital and none of his followers should meet him.