BREAKING | GUJARAT HIGH COURT EXTENDS AASARAM BAPU'S TEMPORARY BAIL IN RAPE CASE CITING ADEQUATE MEDICAL GROUNDS:

On Friday, March 28, the Gujarat High Court granted three months of temporary bail to Asaram Bapu, who was convicted in a 2013 rape case by a sessions court in 2023. Asaram, currently serving a life sentence, had sought bail on medical grounds, which the court found sufficient to justify temporary release.

Asaram Bapu had filed a plea before the Gujarat High Court seeking six months of temporary bail, citing the need for medical treatment. His counsel argued that doctors had recommended Panchkarma therapy, a 90-day course, for his health condition. It is noteworthy that in January this year, the Supreme Court had granted him interim bail until March 31 on medical grounds.

Earlier today, a division bench of the Gujarat High Court, comprising Justice Ilesh J Vora and Justice Sandeep N Bhatt, delivered a split verdict on Asaram Bapu's bail plea. Justice Vora ruled in favor of granting him temporary bail for three months, considering the medical recommendations. In contrast, Justice Bhatt rejected the plea, holding that the circumstances did not warrant further temporary release.

Justice Supehia in his order said, "State has also not said that applicant has misused liberty in these three months, and that he has been sitting idle and enjoying the three months which has been granted by the Supreme Court. Under the circumstances application is allowed by confirming view expressed by Justice Ilesh Vora. Point of difference of opinion is accordingly answered."

While delivering his order, Justice Supehia took note of the statements made by various doctors who had examined Asaram Bapu. The judge observed that the medical opinions highlighted Asaram's history of ailments and indicated that he had not yet fully recovered from his health issues. Justice Supehia emphasized that none of the doctors' reports conclusively stated that Asaram was free from all his medical conditions, thereby acknowledging the ongoing nature of his health concerns.

The judge referred to the order passed by Justice Vora, which stated that the State had not raised any doubts regarding Asaram Bapu's medical condition or the necessity of his ongoing treatment. The court acknowledged that the State had not contested the legitimacy of the medical grounds cited by Asaram for seeking temporary bail.

Furthermore, the judge noted that the Supreme Court had previously granted Asaram three months of interim bail after thoroughly examining his prevailing medical condition. The judge observed that the State had not claimed that Asaram had fully recovered from the ailments for which he was initially granted bail by the Supreme Court. The court also highlighted that there was no assertion from the State suggesting that Asaram no longer required further medical or Ayurvedic treatment, thereby indicating the continued need for his temporary release on health grounds.