Supreme Court denies medical bail to Asaram, permits round-the-clock caretaker

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to grant interim bail on medical grounds to self-styled godman and rape convict Asaram. However, the top court allowed him to have a trained caretaker of his choice in jail after taking note of a medical report submitted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

The order was passed by a bench of Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale while hearing Asaram's plea seeking interim relief during the pendency of his appeal against his conviction, reported Bar and Bench.

Court relies on AIIMS medical assessment

The AIIMS report, submitted following the Supreme Court's earlier direction, stated that while Asaram may not require hospitalisation, he could need round-the-clock medical assistance.

Recording the submissions, the bench said, "We have taken note of the letter dated July 31, 2026 by the AIIMS. On the statement of the Solicitor General that the contents of the letter will be considered in letter and spirit, accordingly the petitioner will have liberty to have assistance trained care taker of his choice, on round-the-clock basis."

The court also left the door open for a fresh request if his condition worsens.

"The application stands adjourned with liberty to make a mention in case the health of the petitioner deteriorates," the Court said.

The medical report was ordered after the Supreme Court directed the AIIMS Director on July 21 to constitute a team of doctors to conduct a comprehensive examination of Asaram.

State opposes bail plea

Asaram has challenged the Rajasthan High Court's decision upholding his conviction in the 2013 case involving the sexual assault of a minor devotee at his Jodhpur ashram. He sought interim bail, claiming he had developed "acute internal bleeding".

Appearing for the Rajasthan government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that Asaram had earlier travelled to Kashi Vishwanath and Ayodhya after securing medical bail.

Per Bar and Bench, he also told the court, "They have suppressed one thing. After filing of this petition, they moved an application for parole. In the parole court also they did not point out that there is a petition pending here, here they did not point out that parole is moved and the High Court has granted parole for 20 days on health grounds," he said.

Responding to the allegation, Asaram's counsel said, "Parole was filed much earlier. It is granted not on health grounds."

After considering the AIIMS report and the submissions made by both sides, the Supreme Court declined to grant interim medical bail and directed that Asaram be allowed the assistance of a trained caretaker in jail.