Asaram Bapu, an 85-year-old spiritual leader currently serving a life sentence for rape, has been granted a seven-day parole by the Rajasthan High Court for medical treatment. The court's decision allows him to travel to Maharashtra for the treatment under strict police supervision.

This comes after the High Court previously denied his parole requests on two occasions due to concerns over potential law and order disruptions. Earlier this year, Asaram was admitted to AIIMS Jodhpur following severe chest pain.

Convicted in 2018 by a POCSO court in Jodhpur, Asaram was sentenced to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting a minor at his ashram. He is currently incarcerated at Jodhpur Central Jail. Additionally, a trial court in Gujarat convicted him last year for repeatedly raping a woman disciple at his Surat ashram in 2013.

In March, the Supreme Court declined to entertain Asaram's petition challenging the Rajasthan High Court's decision to reject his plea for a sentence suspension on medical grounds. However, the Supreme Court allowed him to seek permission for medical treatment from the High Court.

Asaram's legal team argued in their petition that his health has been steadily deteriorating, with the godman reportedly suffering from multiple heart attacks. The petition noted that he had already spent 11 years in prison and cited a coronary angiography report indicating up to 99% arterial blockages. It further emphasized that, at his advanced age, Asaram fears he may die in custody if denied access to a hospital or doctor of his choice, which they asserted is a fundamental right.