NEW DELHI: The Gujarat High Court on Friday, extended self-styled godman Asaram Bapu’s temporary bail by one week till July 7 in a 2013 rape case, while expressing concerns about “unending” extensions of interim relief to convicts.
The division bench of Justices Ilesh J Vora and PM Raval granted the extension pending receipt of NALSA certification confirming Asaram’s claims of being both “over 70 years and terminally ill.”
Medical Treatment Debate: Asaram’s counsel Shalin Mehta cited delayed release due to procedural hurdles, while complainant’s lawyer BB Naik opposed extensions, alleging hospital-hopping without genuine treatment needs.
Judicial Caution: The bench orally remarked that indefinite bail extensions are discouraged, referencing Supreme Court’s recent observations against such practices.
Asaram, serving life imprisonment for raping a disciple at his Ahmedabad ashram, was initially granted interim bail by the SC in January 2025 on medical grounds.
The Gujarat HC’s split verdict in March led to a third judge approving 3-month bail for “Panchkarma therapy,” now expiring on June 30.
His son Narayan Sai (also convicted in a separate rape case) was recently granted 5-day bail to meet Asaram on “humanitarian grounds.”
The court will conduct a final hearing on July 2, directing Asaram to submit all medical documents by then.
The order underscores the tension between medical bail claims and judicial skepticism of prolonged relief for convicts.
