HC rejects interim bail plea of Asaram Bapu

Jodhpur, Jul 15: The Rajasthan High Court today rejected the interim bail plea of self-styled godman Asaram, facing rape charge, on health ground, saying he did not have any serious ailment.

Asaram, 74, had moved the bail application last month citing a medical report by an ayurvedic doctor mentioning 12 different types of disease and had sought the permission to go to Kerala for proper treatment.

In her order, Justice Nirmal Jeet Kaur observed that he did not have any serious health problem citing a medical report prepared by a medical board, said P C Solanki, counsel for the victim girl.

"The high court had asked for a detailed medical report by a medical board. Based on the report, which did not mention Asaram to be afflicted with any serious disease, the high court rejected his bail plea," he said.

Solanki said that the court decided to issue a guideline to the state government for the treatment of Asaram so that all the recommended diagnostic tests are done and medication ensured.

The court also sought a progress report on the trial in the case for the past two-and-a-half years, while listing for hearing a regular bail application of Asaram on July 26.

He was sent to jail in August 2013 for allegedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old schoolgirl.

PTI