In a significant development, the Rajasthan High Court has granted relief to Asaram Bapu, who has been serving a life sentence for the rape of a minor. After spending 11 years in jail, Asaram has been allowed to undergo seven days of Ayurvedic treatment at a hospital in Maharashtra under police custody. This decision was made on Tuesday by a division bench of the Jodhpur High Court, consisting of Justice P.S. Bhati and Justice Munnuri Lakshman.

Asaram, who was convicted in 2018 by a special court under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, had been requesting Ayurvedic treatment for his heart-related ailments. The court, while granting the request, ordered that Asaram would remain in police custody during the entire treatment period, emphasizing that the security concerns associated with his parole are taken seriously.

Asaram has been incarcerated since September 2013, following his arrest in Indore for the alleged rape of a teenage girl at his ashram. Earlier this year, Asaram was admitted to AIIMS Jodhpur for two days due to a heart condition. Despite being convicted of heinous crimes, Asaram’s legal team has been persistent in seeking his release on medical grounds, particularly for Ayurvedic treatment.

In March of this year, Asaram had petitioned the Rajasthan High Court for a 14-day parole for medical treatment, specifically at the Madhavbaug Multidisciplinary Cardiac Care Clinic and Hospital in Pune. However, the court rejected the petition based on a report by the Pune Police, which highlighted potential threats to law and order during his stay at the hospital. The police expressed concerns that Asaram’s presence in Pune could lead to unrest among his followers, complicating the security situation.

Subsequently, Asaram was granted permission to receive Ayurvedic treatment at a private hospital in Jodhpur for approximately two weeks. The current decision to allow treatment in Maharashtra reflects the court’s recognition of his ongoing health issues, balanced against the need for stringent security measures.

Asaram’s requests for sentence suspension on health grounds have been repeatedly denied by both the Rajasthan High Court and the Supreme Court of India. His conviction in 2018 marked the culmination of a long legal battle, during which Asaram faced multiple charges of sexual assault and misconduct. In January 2023, a Gujarat court also convicted Asaram in a separate decade-old case involving the sexual harassment of a female disciple, sentencing him to life imprisonment.

The allegations against Asaram surfaced in 2013 when a girl from Surat accused him of repeatedly raping her at his ashram. The case led to widespread outrage and intensified scrutiny of Asaram’s operations across his numerous ashrams in India. His arrest and subsequent conviction were seen as a significant victory for justice, especially in cases involving influential figures.

The decision to allow Ayurvedic treatment under police custody reflects the court’s attempt to balance the rights of a prisoner with the need to maintain law and order. Asaram will continue to serve his sentence, with the brief respite for medical treatment underscoring the complexities of his case.