Self-styled godman and rape accused Asaram Bapu found no relief in the Supreme Court, which dismissed both his plea for interim bail on medical grounds and a second application for regular bail on the basis of his advanced age and prolonged incarceration as an undertrial for about 3.5 years.
Hearing the applications on the top of the list of Monday’s cases, a Bench of Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar and N.V. Ramana found no justification in his plea for modification of an earlier order to enlarge him on interim bail to access superior medical care.
The Bench concluded that the 78-year-old Asaram was getting expert care for an alleged prostrate problem and he was treated at a Jodhpur hospital where even “persons holding the highest positions obtain treatment”. The court said his medical issue was not “so serious”.
‘Bid to delay proceedings’
Additional Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta, for the State of Rajasthan, submitted that the defence was doing its best to prolong the trial proceedings. Similarly, two star prosecution witnesses have been killed, he said.
Asaram was arrested by the Jodhpur police in August 2013. Two Surat-based sisters had lodged complaints against Asaram and his son Narayan Sai, accusing them of rape and illegal confinement, among other charges.
