[Breaking] Asaram Bapu has ulterior motive to change place of custody under guise of seeking medical treatment: Rajasthan govt to Supreme Court

The Rajasthan government has opposed the bail plea filed by convicted godman Asaram Bapu before the Supreme Court, stating that he wants to change the place of his custody under the guise of seeking medical treatment (Asharam @Ashumal v. State of Rajasthan)..In its counter affidavit filed before the apex court, the State has averred that Bapu, who had earlier sought bail for allopathic treatment of his ailments, has now prayed to be treated at an Ayurveda centre, only because his earlier round of petitions were not successful..Citing two previous instances when Bapu had filed bail applications before the apex court, the affidavit states that he has made a third attempt to get his sentence suspended under the garb of medical treatment.In 2016, after Bapu was examined by a committee of seven doctors, they had concluded that he did not require surgery."The modus operandi of the accused is identical to tone and tenor of the present petition," reads the affidavit..It is further stated a clinical summary of February 17, 2021, issued by MM Hospital at Jodhpur, had advised coronary angiography, which he refused. "It is important to mention that the clinical summary does not specify any health problem of immediate attention," the affidavit goes on to state..State of Rajasthan has also pointed out that the discharge report dated May 21, 2021 issued by AIIMS Jodhpur shows that Bapu was uncooperative and refused to take injections and oral medicines.“The accused was not cooperative with the doctors. He was stable and fit for discharge and there were no complications for three days,” reads the reply..The State has offered to provide medical treatment to Bapu in Jodhpur itself, since “Jodhpur is one of the rare centres where in both the allopathic and Ayurveda excellent treatments are available”.“The treatment to the accused may be provided by a committee of doctors of AIIMS Jodhpur and Ayurveda Hospital, Jodhpur as may be directed by the Supreme Court,” reads the reply..The Supreme Court had earlier issued notice in Bapu's plea challenging a Rajasthan High Court order which dismissed his petition for temporary suspension of sentence to avail Ayurvedic medical treatment..On May 21, the High Court had dismissed the application and directed the district and jail administration to ensure that proper treatment is provided to him at a suitable medical institution..Asaram Bapu, who is serving a life term at Jodhpur Central Jail in connection with the rape of a minor girl, had approached the High Court for Ayurvedic treatment of his ailments. In the meantime, on May 5, he tested positive for COVID-19 and was shifted to AIIMS, Jodhpur. At the same time, he developed internal gastrointestinal bleeding, as a result of which his haemoglobin levels dropped critically.