Medical board to assess Asaram’s health condition; SC seeks report from AIIMS to decide bail

July 21, 2026

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court directed the Director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to constitute a medical board to assess the health condition of self-styled godman Asaram. Asaram has sought interim bail citing health reasons.

On May 27, the Rajasthan High Court had upheld the life imprisonment sentence of 80-year-old Asaram in a 2013 case involving the rape of a minor. A bench comprising Justice MM Sundresh and Justice PB Varale directed the medical board to submit its report within a week.

What arguments did the Solicitor General (SG) present during the hearing?
During the hearing, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta stated that Asaram had visited Kashi Vishwanath and Ayodhya just three months ago. Mehta remarked that he had previously been granted bail because he was in a near-inactive state, yet he is now moving about. Responding to this, the bench stated, “We are not granting regular bail. We will consider it only if we are satisfied that it is necessary on medical grounds. Let the medical report come first.”

What did Asaram’s lawyer say?
The lawyer representing Asaram requested that the matter be referred to the AIIMS Director so that a team of doctors could be constituted to conduct a comprehensive medical examination of Asaram. He suggested that, following this, the doctors could report on whether Asaram required hospitalization as a patient.

On which charges did the High Court grant relief?
The Rajasthan High Court upheld Asaram’s conviction in the case. Still, it acquitted him of charges related to gang rape and aggravated sexual assault on a child under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Which conviction was upheld?
However, the High Court upheld his conviction for the rape of a minor under Section 376(2)(f) of the Indian Penal Code. Consequently, the life imprisonment sentence awarded by the trial court was also maintained.