The Supreme Court today has dismissed the plea filed by controversial spiritual leader Asaram Bapu, seeking relief on medical grounds. The plea, filed under Article 136 of the Constitution, was a response to the High Court of Rajasthan at Jodhpur's rejection of his Suspension of Sentence (SoS) application.

A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, while dismissing the plea as withdrawn, has directed the High Court to expedite the hearing of Asaram Bapu's appeal. 

The spiritual leader, who is currently over 85 years old, cited rapidly deteriorating health conditions as the primary reason for seeking urgent medical intervention.

Senior Advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Devadatt Kamat, representing Asaram Bapu, presented a grim picture of his health, revealing that he has suffered a series of heart attacks.

The coronary angiography report dated January 14, 2024, allegedly indicates fatal arterial blockages of up to 99%. The legal team argued that Asaram Bapu's health is rapidly declining, marked by an alarming incident on February 21, 2024, where he experienced severe chest pain and had to be rushed to AIIMS Jodhpur.

The plea underscores the spiritual leader's assertion of innocence and emphasizes that he has already spent more than 11 years in imprisonment. The legal team contends that Asaram Bapu, in his advanced age and precarious health, faces a life-and-death situation in prison, with his internment worsening his condition.

The crux of the plea lies in the argument that Asaram Bapu, regardless of his convict status, possesses a fundamental right to choose his medical treatment. The legal team contends that denying him this right could be tantamount to a death sentence. 

Despite previous requests for relief, including parole, being rejected, the advocates stress the urgency of the situation, claiming that every passing moment in prison poses a severe risk to Asaram Bapu's health.

The plea further pleads for the suspension of the sentence, asserting that it is not only crucial to safeguard Asaram Bapu's health but also to prevent the imposition of what they view as a de facto death penalty. It was also argued that his age and health make him particularly vulnerable to the challenges of imprisonment, invoking constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment.

Case: Asaram Vs. State of Rajasthan.