Update: 28 March 2025

On Friday, March 28, the Gujarat High Court granted three months of interim release to Asaram Bapu, who was found guilty in a 2023 sessions court rape case in 2013 and is currently undergoing a life sentence. Subsequently, a division bench a while ago issued a split decision. Justice AS Supehia, the third judge to hear Asaram’s plea, stated in his judgment:“I believe the applicant is entitled to interim bail based on my overall assessment of the rulings made by the (division) bench and the Supreme Court‘s ruling. An 86-year-old who is ill cannot be said to be restricted to a certain treatment or medication regimen.”

When Asaram Bapu filed a petition with the high court, requesting six months of interim release, his attorney contended that the doctors believed Asaram Bapu needed eighty days of Panchkarma treatment. Notably, in January of the current year, the Supreme Court allowed him temporary bail until March 31 due to medical reasons. Justice Ilesh J. Vora and Justice Sandeep N. Bhatt‘s division bench issued a mixed decision on Asaram’s plea earlier today. Justice Vora granted temporary bail for three months, while Justice Bhatt declined the plea.

Justice Supehia’s Judgment:

In his ruling, Justice Supehia stated:“The State has not claimed that the applicant has abused their freedom for the last three months. According to Justice Ilesh Vora’s confirming opinion, the application is permitted under the situation at hand. The point of disagreement is addressed appropriately.”

Justice Bhatt’s Dissent:

In the outcome, Justice Bhatt stated that the Supreme Court had given Asaram Bapu temporary parole from January 7 to March 31. He saw numerous holistic and ayurvedic doctors between January 28, 2025, and February 19, 2025; however, he only saw them once, and despite their advice, he did not receive additional therapies from them.

Noting the documents relating to Asaram Bapu receiving Panchkarma treatment, Justice Bhatt stated that it is quite unexpected that, despite the claim put forward that the practice of Ayurveda was ongoing, Asaram Bapu sought rehabilitation from the relevant hospital on March 1st, despite being on temporary bail since January 7.“There is no ‘need’ determined by Asaram for granting temporary bail on healthcare grounds,” the judge declared.

Justice Vora’s Judgment:

In his ruling, Justice Vora noted that Asaram Bapu was eighty-six years old. According to the judge, he was diagnosed with:

• Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

• High blood pressure

• Lack of thyroid

• Iron deficiency

• Gastrointestinal bleeding

when he was admitted to AIIMS, Jodhpur in 2024.

After being taken to the intensive care unit, he was evaluated and classified as a “high-risk patient” by the Medical Board Committee, which was made up of eight physicians, and they recommended a coronary artery bypass heart operation.

Judge Vora provided Asaram short-term bail for three months on the identical conditions set by the Supreme Court, noting that this bail will not consequently enable the person seeking bail to request further extensions due to his serious medical condition, which necessitates specialized care and ongoing support from nurses that is not accessible from jail.