Asaram case: Slain witness' family fearful after Jodhpur attack on another witness

Muzaffarnagar: The family of Akhil Gupta, the slain witness in a sexual assault case against self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, is living under terror following an attack in Jodhpur on a witness in another case against Asaram, a senior police officer said today. IPS officer Amitabh Thakur who met Akhil’s family members here yesterday said the family was living under a cloud of fear and their protection had become a more pressing issue in the aftermath of the attack. Prosecution witness Rahul Sachan, one of the ‘sewadars’ of Asaram, was attacked yesterday when he was boarding the police vehicle after coming out of the court in Jodhpur. [caption id=“attachment_2043533” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Rape accused self-styled godman Asaram Bapu. PTI[/caption] Thakur said under these circumstances it is necesary to record the statements of the deceased’s family members, including father Naresh Gupta, mother Deepa and wife, under section 164 of CRPC before a magistrate. Thakur said Akhil’s family alleged that the associates of Asaram has been threatening them and added the culprits have not been arrested by the police yet. Meanwhile Deputy SP, New Mandi circle, Karamvir Singh today said police have provided full protection to the family, with four police guards and a mobile police van also in movement in the area. Akhil Gupta, who was a cook and personal aide to the self-styled godman, was shot dead in Muzaffarnagar on January 11. The accused in the murder are still at large. Police said that they are trying to trace the accused. PTI