Raj HC dismisses Asaram’s plea on treatment

JODHPUR: The Rajasthan high court has dismissed the petition filed by Asaram Bapu, who is currently serving a life sentence in Jodhpur jail for the 2013 rape case of a minor girl at his ashram in Rajasthan. The petition sought heart-related treatment either at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram or, at Eternal HeartCare

Center (EHCC) in Jaipur or a private Ayurveda centre.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Dinesh Mehta and Justice Vinit Kumar Mathur noted that Asaram had requested permission for bypass surgery or angioplasty, as advised by doctors, at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram or EHCC in Jaipur. Senior counsel JS Chaudhary, representing Asaram, highlighted the critical condition of the patient as stated in the report of the Medical Board of AIIMS, Jodhpur, stressing the necessity of treatment at a higher centre.

Despite the AIIMS report recommending referral to AIIMS, New Delhi, Asaram’s counsel argued for Ayurvedic treatment, citing the petitioner’s preference and faith in Ayurvedic science. However, the bench emphasized that while patients have the right to choose their treatment, this right is not absolute, particularly considering the circumstances of the case. The bench emphasized that considering the petitioner’s past and unruly behaviour of his followers, along with the gravity of the crime, allowing his treatment in a private Ayurveda centre would not only present difficulties and challenges for law enforcement but also pose a threat and disturbance to other patients within the facility.