The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday refused to grant bail to self-styled godman Asaram Bapu in connection with a rape case, for which he is serving life term. The latter had applied for bail on medical grounds, which the court trashed, but allowed him to engage a trained caretaker of his choice inside jail on a 24-hour basis.

A Bench of the top court, comprising Justice MM Sundresh and PB Varale, passed the order on a plea filed by the 86-year-old convict, who sought temporary release on medical grounds over multiple health complications. However, the court permitted Asaram to approach it again if his health deteriorates in the future.

AIIMS Report recommends Asaram’s continuous monitoring

The SC Bench considered a medical report submitted by a board of doctors attached to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), which recommended 24x7 monitoring of Asaram owing to his numerous health issues. However, the medical board did not recommend his hospitalisation.

While passing the order, the court remarked, “We have taken note of the letter received from AIIMS dated July 31, 2026. The petitioner will have liberty to have assistance of a trained caretaker of his choice on a round-the-clock basis.” The Bench also clarified that its decision was based solely on the medical assessment and did not amount to any consideration of the merits of the case.

It observed, “The application stands adjourned with the liberty to the petitioner to approach this court if his condition deteriorates.”

Asaram’s lawyers cite multiple health issues

During the hearing, the counsel representing Asaram contended that his health had been deteriorating and that he was reeling under several ailments, including coronary artery disease, thalassaemia and recurring blood loss.

The defence pleaded with the court to grant bail on medical grounds, underscoring his advanced age and prolonged incarcerations. However, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Rajasthan government, opposed the plea and relied on the AIIMS report, which mentioned that hospitalisation was not required.

Mehta further informed the court that Asaram had already been granted 20 days’ parole by the Rajasthan High Court (HC), a fact that, as per him, was not disclosed before the top court.

SC expresses concern over non-disclosure of facts

Asaram’s counsel responded that the parole had been granted due to his prolonged imprisonment and old age, rather than on medical grounds. The counsel also submitted that the parole order was unrelated to the pending medical bail plea.

Solicitor General Mehta, however, contended that the pendency of the SC petition had also not been brought to the notice of the HC while seeking parole. The apex court then criticised the practice of withholding relevant information from courts and said such conduct was undesirable. The Bench reiterated that the present order was passed only after going through the AIIMS medical report and not on the merits of the criminal case.

Asaram convicted in 2 rape cases

A Rajasthan court had convicted Asaram in connection with the rape of a woman at his ashram in Rajasthan in 2013, and had sentenced her to life imprisonment. Notably, he has spent more than a decade in prison after facing conviction.

Besides this, he is also serving a sentence in a separate rape case involving another woman at his Motera Ashram in Gujarat. His appeal against that conviction is currently pending before the Gujarat High Court. As per the SC’s latest order, Asaram will continue to remain incarcerated while receiving additional medical assistance inside the jail.