The High Court of Gujarat has rejected the temporary bail application of Asaram Bapu on the ground that since Asaram Bapu has thousands of followers, there is a strong possibility that on his release, his followers will congregate to meet him, which will aggravate the distressing situation of COVID-19 Pandemic.
The bench presided by Justice AS Supehia was hearing a criminal bail application preferred by Asaram Bapu seeking temporary bail for a period of 4 months on various grounds.
One of the grounds stated by the Counsel appearing for Asaram was the present pandemic situation of COVID 19 where Asaram had all probability of getting infected in the Jail at Rajasthan.
The Counsel submitted that Asaram is 84 years of age and is suffering from various ailments. Moreover as per reports some of the prisoners in the Jodhpur jail are affected with COVID 19 and there is every likelihood that the applicant may also get affected by the virus.
However, Counsel appearing for the State Government opposing the bail application submitted that the applicant had stated the same reasons previously which were rejected by the High Court. Moreover the jail authorities in Rajasthan were taking ample precautions so that there is no spread of COVID 19 amongst the inmates.
-India Legal Bureau