SC asks AIIMS to examine Asaram's medical condition

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the All India Institute of Medical Sciences director to set up a medical board to review medical reports and if required clinically examine self-styled godman Asaram to ascertain whether interim bail should be granted to him in the Jodhpur rape case.

A bench headed by Justice T S Thakur directed that the board file its report before the court within four weeks. In the meanwhile, the apex court allowed the plea of 76-year-old Asaram who has sought direction that some documents, purportedly showing the victim not be a minor, be summoned by the trial court.

The bench also allowed Asaram to confront witnesses on the issue of age of the victim.

The apex court had on July 3 refused to entertain Asaram's bail plea in a rape case lodged against him in Surat in Gujarat but agreed to hear his petition for bail in rape case iled in Jodhpur.

Charges have been framed against Asaram for rape, criminal conspiracy and other offences by a Jodhpur court in connection with alleged sexual exploitation of a minor girl in his ashram in Jodhpur.

The district and sessions court retained all the charges slapped by the police except Section 26 of Juvenile Justice Act related to child labour against Asaram and his aides and co-accused Sanchita Gupta alias Shilpi and Sharad Chandra.

Charges have been framed under sections 342 (for wrongful confinement), 354A (sexual harassment), 370(4) (trafficking), 376(2)f (rape on a woman when she is under 12 years of age), 506 (criminal intimidation), 509/34 and 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy).