New Delhi, August 6, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to grant interim bail to self-styled godman and rape convict Asaram on medical grounds, while permitting him to avail the services of a trained caregiver of his choice on a round-the-clock basis in accordance with the medical opinion submitted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
A Bench comprising Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice P.B. Varale kept Asaram’s plea seeking suspension of sentence pending and allowed him to approach the court again if his health condition deteriorates.
“The petitioner will have liberty to have assistance of a trained caregiver of his choice on a round-the-clock basis,” the Bench said while adjourning the matter.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Rajasthan government, argued that Asaram had concealed material facts by obtaining a 20-day parole from the Rajasthan High Court without informing it that his interim bail plea was already pending before the Supreme Court.
According to the Solicitor General, the parole application filed before the High Court did not disclose the pending proceedings before the apex court, and the subsequent grant of parole was also not brought to the notice of the Supreme Court.
Expressing surprise after learning about the parole order, the Bench remarked, “After our order?” It also observed that the petitioner’s conduct in the matter “is not correct.”
However, counsel appearing for Asaram maintained that the parole application had been filed earlier and that the relief granted by the Rajasthan High Court was not based solely on medical grounds.
The Supreme Court eventually passed its order in line with the AIIMS medical assessment, which concluded that while Asaram did not require hospitalisation, he would need continuous assistance from trained caregivers due to his health condition.
Earlier this week, the apex court had taken on record the AIIMS report stating that Asaram suffers from multiple ailments, including coronary artery disease, osteoporosis, chronic hyponatremia, thalassemia and recurring gastrointestinal episodes involving blood loss. Despite these conditions, the medical board concluded that hospitalisation was not presently required.
On July 21, the court had directed the AIIMS Director to constitute a specialised medical board for an independent evaluation after indicating that interim bail could not be considered without a comprehensive medical assessment.
Previously, on June 30, the Supreme Court had issued notice to the Rajasthan government on Asaram’s special leave petition challenging the Rajasthan High Court’s May 27 judgment, which upheld his conviction and life sentence in the 2013 minor rape case. The court had, however, declined to grant interim relief at that stage.
Asaram has challenged the Rajasthan High Court judgment affirming the life sentence awarded by a Special POCSO Court in connection with the sexual assault of a minor student at his Chhindwara Gurukul in 2013.
Following the High Court verdict, Asaram, who had been out on interim medical bail, surrendered before the Jodhpur Central Jail on May 28 after undergoing a medical examination. He was originally convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by the Special POCSO Court in Jodhpur on April 25, 2018. He is also serving another life sentence in a separate sexual assault case involving a woman disciple at his Gandhinagar ashram in Gujarat.
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