Asaram Faces Setback as Supreme Court Rejects Plea to Suspend Sentence in Rape Case
Asaram, serving a life sentence in a rape case, faces a setback from Supreme Court. The court rejected his plea to suspend the sentence citing deteriorating health.
Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta's bench advised senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi to approach the Rajasthan High Court for relief.
Rohatgi stated that Asaram is willing to accept the government lawyer's suggestion to undergo treatment at the Madhavbaug Heart Hospital in Khopoli, Maharashtra, while in police custody.
Asaram Denied Relief by Supreme Court
According to PTI, the bench told Asaram that his request for treatment at Madhavbaug Heart Hospital would be considered under the law after filing a petition in the Rajasthan High Court.
Justice Khanna also highlighted Asaram's attempts to delay the hearing of his appeal against conviction and sentence in the High Court.
The apex court directed an expeditious hearing of his appeal upon Rohatgi's assertion that Asaram has suffered multiple heart attacks and is afflicted with gastrointestinal bleeding along with anaemia unrelated to age.
Through his lawyer Rajesh Gulab Inaamdar, Asaram stated in his petition that he has already served a sentence of more than 11 years and 7 months in the case.
The petition states, "It is respectfully submitted that the petitioner is afflicted with numerous life-threatening health conditions, including heart disease, hypothyroidism, gastrointestinal hemorrhage with anemia, benign prostatic hyperplasia, diabetes, hypertension, COVID-pneumonia, and sepsis, among others. Asaram has been diagnosed with ischemic heart disease and acute coronary syndrome, indicating a reduced oxygen supply to his heart due to deficient oxygenated blood circulation."
Asaram Behind Bars Since 2013
It is worth mentioning that in 2018, Asaram was convicted by a special POCSO court in Jodhpur for rape and sexual assault, receiving a life sentence.
Asaram has been in jail since September 2, 2013. The girl had alleged in her complaint that on the night of August 15, 2013, Asaram had called her to his ashram near Manai, located near Jodhpur, and raped her.
