The Gujarat High Court has rejected a plea filed by Asaram seeking temporary bail for 20 days to meet his wife, who is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Ahmedabad. The court, however, allowed him to seek permission from the jail authorities to communicate with her through video conferencing.
The application was considered by a division bench of the Gujarat High Court after information regarding the woman’s medical condition was placed before the court. Asaram had sought temporary release on humanitarian grounds, stating that he wanted to meet his wife, who had been admitted to a hospital in Ahmedabad.
Court Seeks Details of Wife’s Health
During the proceedings, the court examined information concerning the woman’s hospitalisation and medical condition. The police had been directed to verify the circumstances surrounding her treatment and provide relevant details to the court.
The medical information submitted during the proceedings indicated that Asaram’s wife had responded to treatment and that her condition had become stable. The treating doctors also indicated that she could potentially be discharged within a few days, depending on her continued recovery.
Asaram’s legal representatives argued that he wanted to meet his wife because of her age and health condition. They sought his temporary release for a period of 20 days so that he could personally visit her in the hospital.
Prosecution Opposes Temporary Release
The prosecution opposed the request for temporary bail, arguing that the medical circumstances did not indicate an immediate situation requiring Asaram’s physical presence.
It was submitted that Asaram’s wife was receiving treatment at a private multispeciality hospital and was being attended to by relatives and medical professionals. The prosecution relied on the medical information placed before the court to argue that her condition was improving.
After considering the submissions from both sides and examining the medical information, the court declined to grant the requested temporary bail.
The court took note of the fact that the woman had responded to treatment and that doctors had indicated the possibility of her discharge within a short period. Based on the material before it, the court did not find sufficient grounds to order Asaram’s temporary release from custody.
Court Allows Video Conferencing
Although the court rejected the temporary bail plea, it provided an alternative arrangement for Asaram to communicate with his wife.
The court permitted him to approach the concerned jail authorities and seek permission to speak with her through video conferencing. The arrangement would allow Asaram to communicate with his wife without requiring him to be released from custody.
The decision means that Asaram will remain in custody while having the possibility of maintaining contact with his wife through an approved communication facility.
Asaram’s Gujarat Case
The temporary bail application is connected with Asaram’s ongoing legal proceedings in Gujarat arising from a 2013 rape case.
A court in Gandhinagar convicted Asaram in the case in January 2023 and sentenced him to life imprisonment. The case involved a former woman disciple. His appeal against the conviction is pending before the Gujarat High Court.
Asaram is also serving a separate life sentence in Rajasthan in connection with another rape case involving a minor girl. That case relates to an incident at his ashram in Jodhpur in 2013.
His legal proceedings in the two cases have continued separately, with different courts considering applications concerning his conviction, sentence, medical treatment and temporary release.
Previous Requests for Temporary Relief
The latest plea comes after previous attempts by Asaram to obtain temporary relief from custody.
In earlier proceedings, courts considered requests relating to his medical condition and other personal circumstances. His legal team has previously sought temporary release or other forms of relief, citing his age and health-related concerns.
However, the courts have considered such requests in the context of the individual cases and the circumstances presented before them.
In the latest proceedings, the Gujarat High Court considered the medical condition of Asaram’s wife and the information provided by the treating doctors before deciding on the request for temporary bail.
Court’s Decision
The Gujarat High Court ultimately refused to grant the requested 20-day temporary bail. The court’s decision means Asaram will continue to remain in custody in connection with the Gujarat case.
At the same time, the court provided a way for him to remain in contact with his wife by allowing him to approach the jail authorities for video conferencing.
The order comes as Asaram’s appeal against his conviction continues before the Gujarat High Court. The latest decision concerns only his request for temporary release to meet his wife and does not determine the outcome of his pending appeal against the conviction.