[BREAKING] "Not an ordinary crime:" Supreme Court refuses plea by Asaram Bapu seeking suspension of sentence to pursue Ayurvedic treatment

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused a plea by godman Asaram Bapu seeking suspension of his sentence, observing that the crime in which the godman stands convicted is "no ordinary crime at all" (Asharam @Ashumal v. State of Rajasthan)..Bapu had moved the top court seeking suspension of sentence so that he could avail ayurvedic treatment..The order was passed by a Bench of Justices Indira Banerjee and V Ramasubramanian and Bela M Trivedi after the Rajasthan High Court had earlier denied him relief..Senior Advocate R Basant appearing for the godman, submitted that only six week suspension was being sought owing to his failing health and urged the Court to show "mercy.".However, the the top court refused to indulge him."Taking an overall view, this is not an ordinary crime at all. You will get all your ayurvedic treatment in jail itself," the Court said..When Basant stated that there was no treatment in jail, Senior Advocate Manish Singhvi appearing for Rajasthan, submitted that the convict was being provided all necessary treatment in jail. .Asaram Bapu, who is serving a life term at Jodhpur Central Jail in connection with the rape of a minor girl, had first approached the High Court for bail saying he wants to avail Ayurvedic treatment owing to ill health. On May 5, he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was shifted to AIIMS, Jodhpur. At the same time, he developed internal gastrointestinal bleeding, as a result of which his haemoglobin levels dropped critically.The High Court had, however, dismissed the bail application and directed the district and jail administration to ensure that proper treatment is provided to Bapu at a suitable medical institution.He then approached the Supreme Court in appeal..The Supreme Court, which heard the matter on June 4, had remarked that it has no expertise in medical matters and sought the response of the Rajasthan government in the plea. .Rajasthan government opposed the plea stating that Bapu was attempting to change the place of his custody under the guise of seeking medical treatment..Citing two previous instances when Bapu had filed bail applications before the apex court, the State government in its affidavit stated that the present plea was his third attempt to get his sentence suspended under the garb of medical treatment.In 2016, after Bapu was examined by a committee of seven doctors, they had concluded that he did not require surgery."The modus operandi of the accused is identical to tone and tenor of the present petition," the State government had said..[Read Live Thread]