Rajasthan High Court: In a criminal miscellaneous application filed by Asaram Bapu for the extension of his interim bail, a Division Bench of Dinesh Mehta and Vinit Kumar Mathur, JJ., rejected the interim bail application. The Court’s decision was based on a Medical Board’s report which found Asaram to be clinically stable and not in need of hospitalization or continuous medical assistance.
Asaram Bapu, was convicted in 2018 for raping a 16-year-old girl at his ashram in Jodhpur in 2013 and sentenced to life imprisonment. Earlier he had filed for extension of temporary bail granted on 14-01-2025 on humanitarian grounds for medical treatment subject to conditions as set by the Supreme Court. He was granted the extension of till 12-08-2025.
Under changed circumstances, the Court on 11-08-2025, directed the Medical Superintendent of Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, to form a Medical Board to examine the Asaram’s health condition and determine whether he required hospitalization or continuous medical care. On 18-08-2025, the Medical Board, comprising several expert doctors, examined the applicant and submitted its assessment.
The Medical Board observed that Asaram was suffering from several medical conditions. However, he was clinically stable at present and did not require hospitalization or continuous medical attendance.
In light of the Medical Board’s report, the Court observed that the extension of interim bail was not warranted. The application for extension was, therefore, rejected. The Court issued the following directions:
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The Jail Superintendent was directed to allow Asaram necessary movement on a wheelchair, to be provided to him.
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To deploy one person for continuous assistance and to operate the wheelchair.
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Asaram was ordered to surrender on or before 11:00 a.m. on 30-08-2025.
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If Asaram’s health condition deteriorates or any exigency arises, the Jail Authority must immediately take him to AIIMS, Jodhpur.
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Asaram was also granted the liberty to move a fresh application in accordance with the law if such an occasion arose.
[Asharam @ Ashumal v. State of Rajasthan, D.B. Criminal Misc. Application No. 485/2025, decided on 27-08-2025]
