Ahmedabad | Gujarat — The health condition of self-styled godman and convicted rapist Asaram Bapu has once again stirred controversy, both inside the courtroom and outside hospitals. The 86-year-old convict, who is serving a life sentence in rape cases in Surat and Jodhpur, was rushed to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital on Monday morning under heavy police security after his condition turned critical.
According to hospital sources, Asaram was brought in at 10:45 am on Monday and taken directly to OPD number 13, where his ECG and ECO tests were conducted. Later, he was shifted to the Trauma Center, whose gates were shut to the public during his presence — a move that left emergency patients stranded. “The trauma center is for patients in life-threatening emergencies. Blocking access for a convict reflects a dangerous misuse of medical facilities,” said a senior hospital staff member on condition of anonymity.
Eyewitnesses reported scuffles between Asaram’s supporters and the media outside the premises, as his private security tried to shield him. He was later moved out of the hospital via a different gate to avoid the crowd.
VVIP Facilities Spark Outrage
Despite being a convicted criminal, Asaram reportedly received VVIP treatment at Civil Hospital. Sources claimed he was provided with a new wheelchair, fresh bed sheets, and a team of assembled doctors, while hospital staff were kept waiting at the gates for over two hours. Ambulances carrying genuine emergency patients were delayed as Asaram’s convoy occupied entry points. “Why should an inmate convicted of rape get such privileges when ordinary patients are left struggling?” questioned a patient’s relative outside the hospital.
Legal Battles and Bail Extensions
Asaram’s deteriorating health has been the central point of his legal strategy. On August 7, the Gujarat High Court extended his interim bail till August 21, marking the third extension in recent weeks. His lawyer, Nishant Borda, presented medical reports citing heart-related issues, including elevated troponin levels that suggest risk of heart damage.
Similarly, the Rajasthan High Court also extended his interim bail on August 8, directing that a panel of doctors, including two cardiologists, at a government hospital in Ahmedabad conduct a comprehensive medical evaluation.
“Given his age and medical condition, the court has allowed extensions. But the law should be equal for everyone. The question is whether medical grounds are being misused,” remarked a senior legal expert.
Background and Public Concern
Asaram has been in jail for over a decade after being convicted of raping a minor disciple in Jodhpur and another survivor in Surat. While his followers continue to demand leniency, women’s rights groups argue that his bail extensions risk setting a precedent for other convicts.
For now, the courts await the detailed medical report from the Ahmedabad doctors’ panel. Until then, Asaram remains at the center of both legal scrutiny and public outrage, with critics pointing to the sharp contrast between his treatment and that of ordinary citizens.
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