New Delhi /
The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to Rajasthan government on a plea by self-styled Godman Aasram seeking to be shifted to AIIMS for his treatment as there were no in-patient facilities at Jodhpur based AIIMS.
The bench of Justice A.K.Sikri and Justice N.V.Ramana issued notice after Asaram’s counsel told the court that since in-patient facilities were not available at Jodhpur hospital he may be shifted to AIIMS at Delhi for treatment.
The top court by its October 24 order had said that Asaram, subject to his consent, “shall be provided full medical facilities at AIIMS, Jodhpur and/or Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Rajasthan Ayurved University, Jodhpur while in judicial custody.”
A panel of doctors had examined Asaram and in its report to the court had said that “Overall, …. the medical condition of the petitioner is ‘stable’.” Asaram was examined by the medical board for three days on September 19, 20 and 21.
On an earlier occasion, Asaram was examined by a panel of AIIMS doctors and the medical board had opined that he needed no surgery and could be treated through medications.
Asaram is lodged in the Jodhpur Central Jail since September 2, 2013, and is being tried under the provision of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).
The 72-year-old Asaram was arrested after a 16-year-old girl lodged a police complaint on Aug 20, 2013, accusing him of sexually assaulting her at his ashram in Jodhpur.