Supreme Court Seeks Rajasthan's Response on Asaram Bapu's Life Sentence Appeal
The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought a response from the Rajasthan government on an appeal filed by self-styled godman Asaram Bapu challenging the Rajasthan High Court's order upholding his conviction and life sentence for the rape of a minor girl.
A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Sheel Nagu issued a notice to the state government, directing it to file a reply. The court also directed that medical facilities extended to Asaram, who is currently hospitalised, shall continue.
Justice Sundresh observed that the court would have to hear the survivor as well, noting that the case involved a person in a position of dominance. "Let us hear them also… The very case is that you are in such a dominant position. Therefore, we have to look at it with a different approach," he said.
Asaram was convicted by a trial court in 2018 for the rape of a minor girl and sentenced to life imprisonment. He appealed, claiming he was framed by extortionists. The Rajasthan High Court upheld his conviction on May 27, cancelled his bail, and ordered him to surrender.
However, the high court set aside his conviction for gangrape, aggravated penetrative sexual assault, and criminal conspiracy. It upheld his conviction under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including trafficking of a minor, wrongful confinement, criminal intimidation, sexual harassment, and offences by a person in a position of trust. It also upheld convictions under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
During the hearing, the survivor's counsel pointed out that Asaram had also filed an application seeking interim bail on medical grounds. Justice Sundresh said the court would consider it only if there was a "grave necessity" and not for usual health issues.
The survivor's counsel further submitted that Asaram had suppressed crucial facts in his appeal, noting that the Supreme Court had earlier denied him interim relief. The court granted four weeks to the state and the survivor's counsel to file responses.
Senior advocates for Asaram argued that he was nearly 90 years old and suffered from debilitating disorders. They stated that after the high court order, he was taken to hospital on June 2 and remained there. One of the advocates remarked, "This court is the only saviour because we are convicted by social media than by the honourable courts themselves."
