HC directs cops to ensure Asaram’s privacy during treatment
The Rajasthan high court on Tuesday directed the police to ensure self-styled godman Asaram’s privacy while allowing him to continue his treatment.
Asaram is serving a life sentence in Jodhpur jail in connection with the 2013 rape case of a minor girl.
Senior counsel VR Bajwa, representing Asaram, submitted before the division bench of justices Dinesh Mehta and Vinit Kumar Mathur that in compliance with the court’s earlier order, Asaram was admitted to the Arogyadham centre on March 25. He said that during his hospitalisation, four to five policemen were present in his room, “adversely affecting not only his treatment but also his privacy”.
He presented screenshots of CCTV footage of the hospital room before the court while requesting permission for further treatment.
Additional advocate general
Anil Joshi said that “policemen were deployed in the applicant’s room to ensure his safety”. The division bench allowed Asaram to be admitted to hospital for a period of seven to ten days, after which he should return to central jail for health assessment.
“If the doctors of Arogyadham Hospital further advise re-admission of the applicant, he will thereafter be admitted again in the hospital for a further period of 7-10 days. Police personnel will permit two persons of the applicant’s choice to visit him in the hospital during his hospitalisation,” the court said.
The bench said, “While keeping the security concerns in mind, the police authorities will ensure that the applicant’s privacy is not hampered and he is exposed to proper sunlight to cope with Vitamin- D deficiency.”
The court requested Bajwa and Joshi to visit the hospital to ensure proper treatment, considering the safety concerns of the applicant.