JODHPUR, 11 AUG

The Jodhpur bench of the Rajasthan High Court on Monday extended till 29 August the interim bail granted to jailed self-styled godman Asaram, who is serving a life term for raping a minor disciple at his gurukul.

Asaram's bail period was set to expire on 12 August.

A division bench of Justices Dinesh Mehta and Vineet Kumar Mathur allowed the bail extension after perusing his medical reports.

The relief came after a recent extension of his interim bail by the Gujarat High Court in a similar case till 21 August.

Currently admitted to a hospital in Indore, his condition was stated to be critical.

Observing his medical report, the high court directed the formation of a panel of doctors from a government hospital in Ahmedabad for a detailed check-up of his health.

The panel should comprise a cardiologist and a neurologist.

The court also directed the report to be submitted to the court by 27 August, two days before the expiry of bail.