The Gujarat High Court on Wednesday rejected a plea by self-styled godman Asaram seeking 20 days' temporary bail to meet his wife, who is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Ahmedabad [Ashumal @ Asharam v State of Gujarat]..A Division Bench of Justices Gita Gopi and LS Pirzada declined the plea after considering a medical report stating that Asaram's wife had responded well to treatment and was expected to be discharged within 2-3 days.“When the patient has responded well to the treatment and both the doctors have opined that she would be discharged within the next two to three days, we do not find any reason to allow the application of the petitioner, who is presently in Jodhpur Jail, Rajasthan,” said the Court.However, the Court allowed Asaram to seek permission from the jail authorities to communicate with his wife through video conferencing..Asaram 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..The present plea was filed on the ground that Asaram's wife, who is 83 years old, was critically ill and had been admitted to a hospital in Naroda. The Court had on September 29 directed the local police to verify the claim regarding her illness. .During today's hearing, Advocate Ashish Dagli, appearing for Asaram, told the Court that his wife was critically ill. Seeking temporary bail, Dagli submitted that Asaram was 87 and had complied with the terms and conditions imposed during his previous temporary release.Dagli also submitted that Asaram was in Rajasthan and would remain there after the period of temporary release. He added that he was willing to bear the expenses of the proposed visit..Public Prosecutor Hardik Dave opposed the plea, arguing that there was no urgency warranting temporary bail.The Court also noted the police report that Asaram's wife was being looked after by her relatives and disciples and that a personal doctor was present at the hospital along with the two treating doctors..Taking note of the submissions, the Court declined to grant Asaram temporary bail..This is not the first time Asaram has sought temporary release from custody. He has repeatedly approached the courts for temporary bail or parole on medical and other grounds.Most recently, Asaram had approached the Gujarat High Court seeking 20 days' temporary bail on medical grounds. However, the plea was rejected on September 8. The Court had noted that a Supreme Court order dated August 6 had permitted him to approach the Court again if there was a deterioration in his medical condition..[Read Order]
