India / Rape accused Asaram Bapu's health deteriorates due to Covid-19, kept on ventilator

Jodhpur: Godmen also have feet of clay. The self-styled godman, who has a massive following and is in jail on rape charges, has been put on the ventilator after he was shifted to the ICU of MDM hospital in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Asaram Bapu, who was jailed for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl, has been shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital after testing positive for COVID-19, suggest sources.

Asaram was rushed to the hospital on Wednesday night after he complained of breathing difficulty. Sources revealed, "He has been put on ventilator support and his condition is stated to be stable." His samples were taken along with other inmates for COVID-19 testing, wherein his result came positive.

Here's everything you need to know about Asaram Bapu's health:

- A jail official has reportedly disclosed that 80-year-old Asaram had complained of restlessness and his oxygen levels were extremely low when they rushed him to the hospital. "On Wednesday night, his condition deteriorated as he complained of fever and short-breath. We rushed him to the MG Hospital in the night itself," the official added.

- Asaram's followers reached the hospital after hearing the news. The administration faced a law and order situation as the swelling crowd went berserk and some even tried to enter the hospital campus. Two female followers were detained as they tried to sneak into the hospital.

 Along with Asaram, 12 other inmates also tested positive for coronavirus.

- Previously, Asaram had requested bail on health grounds, stating that he was suffering from several ailments.

- They gathered outside the hospital and demanded that they be apprised of their godman’s health. They said that the hospital must give all the details.

- Many of his followers reportedly tried to enter the hospital premises but police foiled their attempts.

Currently, he's serving his sentence at Jodhpur Prison. He had also filed an appeal in Rajasthan High Court against his sentence.

In 2013, a 16-year-old girl accused Asaram of raping her at Manai Ashram near Jodhpur. The self-styled godman was then arrested in 2014.