The Gujarat High Court on Thursday extended the interim medical bail granted to self-styled Godman and rape convict Asaram Bapu till August 21 [Ashumal @ Asharam s/o Thaumal sindhi (Harpalani) v State of Gujarat & Anr].
A Division Bench of Justices Ilesh J Vora and PM Raval noted that Asaram is in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in critical condition.
"The applicant presently is in ICU with Jupiter Hospital at Indore and as per the records, he diagnosed with very high troponin level (2465.59 pg – ml) and according to treating doctor, his condition is critical. In such circumstances, pending this application, the temporary bail granted earlier is extended till 21.08.2025 on the same terms and conditions," the Court said.
Notably, the High Court had stated in its last hearing that his bail on medical grounds would not be extended any further.
However, Asaram moved the Supreme Court, which granted him the liberty to move the High Court.
This is the third time Asaram has been granted interim bail.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Gandhinagar court in a rape case. The court convicted Asaram in a case registered in 2013 for raping a woman disciple from Surat repeatedly between 2001 and 2006. The girl was living at his ashram in Motera.
Asaram is also serving a life sentence in another case of raping a minor girl in Rajasthan in 2013.
Senior Advocate Shalin Mehta with advocates Ashish Dagli and Hardik Dave appeared for Asaram.
Senior Advocate Bharat Naik and advocate Ekant Ahuja represented the private respondent.
[Read Order]