In the legal arena, the apex court, on Friday, dismissed the petition of the self-proclaimed Godman Asaram Bapu challenging a Rajasthan High Court verdict that denied his plea for the suspension of his sentence. Asaram had implored the high court to halt his sentence, citing his deteriorating health.
Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Asaram, appeared before a bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta. The bench conveyed its disinclination to entertain the plea, prompting Rohatgi to express that a fitting application would be submitted before the high court. Declining the plea, the bench stated that if such an application were filed, it would be considered, and the high court might expedite the hearing of the primary appeal.
The apex court directed Asaram to approach the Rajasthan High Court with a request for Ayurvedic treatment while in police custody.
With no comment on the merits and acknowledging Asaram’s acceptance of the state’s proposal for treatment in police custody, the apex court clarified that Asaram Bapu could approach the high court to seek treatment at an Ayurvedic Hospital. Asaram had been convicted of the rape of a minor.
After the high court dismissed his plea, stating concerns about potential law-and-order issues if he underwent treatment “independently” rather than “in police custody,” Asaram approached the apex court. In his plea, he highlighted a critical medical emergency and rapidly declining health as grounds for the suspension of his sentence. The plea contested the High Court of Rajasthan at Jodhpur’s January 11 order rejecting his Suspension of Sentence (SoS) Application, based on medical grounds and the claim of innocence, having already endured over 11 years in imprisonment.
The plea, presented by advocates Rajesh Inamdar and Shashwat Anand, argued that on the midnight of February 21, 2024, Asaram experienced intense chest pain, necessitating his immediate transfer to AIIMS Jodhpur. This incident marked the third such occurrence within a mere four-month period, where the petitioner faced critical conditions due to severe heart pain or a heart attack.