Supreme Court Issues Notice on Asaram Bapu’s Request for Postponement of Life Sentence in Gujarat Rape Case

The Supreme Court today (November 22) issued notice to the Government of Gujarat on the Special Leave Petition filed by . idiosyncratic godman Asaram Bapu requesting the postponement of the life imprisonment sentence imposed by Gandhinagar District of Gujarat In a 2013 rape case.

On January 31, 2023, a sessions court found Asaram Bapu guilty of raping his female disciple multiple times at the Ahemdabad-based Ashram and sentenced him to life imprisonment. Under IPC Sections 376 (rape), 377 (unnatural offences), Section 342 (wrongful imprisonment), Sections 506 (criminal intimidation) and 357 (Assault or use of criminal force with intent to wrongfully imprison a person) and 354 (Assault or assault) was convicted. applying criminal force to a woman for the purpose of violating her chastity).

Bapu later approached the Gujarat High Court seeking a stay of sentence, but the same thing happened. rejected in August.

A dividing bench Judges Ilesh J Vora and Vimal K Vyas Through a disputed order dated 29 August rejected decided to postpone the sentence and the court order At first glance, he wasn’t wrong.

When the matter came before a committee today Justices MM Sundresh and Aravind Kumar, Senior Advocate Dama Seshadri Naidu He said (on behalf of Asaram Bapu): “This case needs no introduction.” But before he could complete this, Justice Kumar intervened and asked whether there was any appeal against the Rajasthan High Court’s decision to dismiss the sentence on health grounds in a case in which he was convicted of raping a minor.

Naidu replied when the matter came to the Supreme Court: ““Instructions were given for rapid evaluation,” he said.

On March 1, the Supreme Court actually dismissed Bapu challenged the decision of the Rajasthan High Court (regarding his conviction in another rape case). a bench Judges Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta He had announced that Asaram would be at liberty to approach the Supreme Court for treatment at an Ayurvedic Hospital. Following this, he approached the Rajasthan High Court. allowed He will undergo ayurvedic treatment under police guard at ‘Arogayadham Centre’ in Jodhpur in March 2024.

Naidu then stated that the petitioner was “86 years old” and that his “100-page” report describing his medical condition had been released by “AIIMS and other hospitals” and was before the Court for consideration.

Naidu informed the Court that the self-styled godman had suffered two heart attacks and 3 heart blockages so far. He added that Asaram Bapu was advised by doctors, especially during winter months.“If he wasn’t in a temperature-controlled room, he would die.”

Judge Sundresh responded: ““We will find out his health condition and then evaluate it.”

Justice Kumar asked: ““When medical help was offered to you, you refused.”

Thereupon, Naidu said that the petitioner was 86 years old and could not bear bypass surgery, so he sought ayurvedic treatment. However, Justice Kumar added that the present petitioner had filed an affidavit before the Rajasthan High Court insisting that he be sent to a particular hospital only.

Naidu once again clarified that Asaram Bapu rejected allopathic treatment but accepted homeopathic treatment.

Advocates Rajesh Inamdar and Shashwat Anand also represented the petitioner.

Case Details: ASHUMAL @ ASHARAM v. STATE OF GUJARAT, SLP(Crl) No. 15945/2024