New Delhi:-Self-styled godman Asaram, facing prosecution in sexual assault cases lodged in Rajasthan, today failed to get relief from the Supreme Court which rejected his pleas seeking regular and interim bail on medical grounds.
A bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice N V Ramana also rejected his interim bail plea on health grounds in another sexual offence case registered in Gujarat, saying the petition was “deviod of any merit”.
The apex court also observed that Asaram had placed a “fictitious document” to persuade the court to grant him bail and ordered registration of an FIR against those responsible for preparing and filing the alleged fake papers.
“The instant act (of placing fictitious document through his ‘parokar’) constitutes a serious offence and it can’t be let off merely by tendering an apology. We direct registration of an FIR based on the letter dated November 8, 2016 and also the affidavit filed in compliance of the order dated December 6, 2016,” the bench said.
“We direct the concerned investigating officer to complete the investigation thereof at the earliest and, in case an offence is made out, initiate criminal prosecution in accordance with the law against all the concerned parties,” it said while rejecting the regular bail plea of Asaram.
The apex court, while dismissing the regular bail plea, noted that trial in the matter was unnecessarily prolonged and the prosecution witnesses were being attacked, which has led to the death of two witnesses.
“It is not possible for us to overlook the fact that trial in the matter was unnecessarily prolonged and one prosecution witness (Investigating Officer) was recalled for 104 days for his cross-examination. It can’t be overlooked that when prosecution witnesses were examined, there were a number of attacks on the prosecution witnesses leading to the death of two of them.
“We are of the view that accordingly, we find no justification in the prayer (seeking regular bail) made by the petitioner (Asaram),” the bench said.
While rejecting his interim bail plea on medical grounds, the apex court said his present medical condition is “not so serious” which requires him to be transferred to another jail or another hospital as, according to the Rajasthan government, he is being treated in a hospital in Jodhpur which has all the facilities to treat him for the ailment.
PTI
