The Rajasthan High Court on Tuesday granted seven-day parole to godman Asaram Bapu for Ayurvedic treatment.
The self-proclaimed priest is serving a life sentence in a rape case.
Earlier, the High Court had twice rejected Asaram’s parole petitions, citing concerns that the security situation would deteriorate after his release.
In February this year, Asaram was rushed to AIIMS Jodhpur after experiencing severe chest pain.
He will be travelling to Pune in Maharashtra for Ayurvedic treatment in police custody.
A bench of Justices PS Bhati and Munnuri Lakshman of the Jodhpur division of the Rajasthan High Court ordered that Asaram be admitted to hospital for treatment for seven days in police custody.
Asaram was arrested in Indore in September 2013 for raping a teenage girl at his monastery. He was convicted by a special POCSO court in 2018.
In January 2023, a Gujarat court convicted him and sentenced him to life imprisonment for a sexual assault case involving a female disciple 10 years ago.
The victim, a Surat resident, had alleged that she had been repeatedly raped at his monastery in 2013.
His plea for a stay of his sentence on health grounds has already been rejected by the High Court and the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court, however, said Asaram Bapu can approach the High Court seeking approval for the treatment.
In their petition, Asaram’s lawyers cited the January 14 coronary angiogram report, which they said showed that the arterial blockage was up to 99 per cent.
“The petitioner, who is over 85 years old and in the twilight of his life, fears that he may die in prison if he is not able to receive treatment from a hospital and doctor of his choice, which is a fundamental right afforded to every person, whether incarcerated or undertrial,” the petition states.
