Asaram case: Slain witness' family fearful after Jodhpur attack

The family of Akhil Gupta, the slain witness in a sexual assault case against self-styled godman Asaram, is living under terror following an attack in Jodhpur on a witness in another case against Asaram, a senior police officer said on Saturday.

The family of Akhil Gupta, the slain witness in a sexual assault case against self-styled godman Asaram, is living under terror following an attack in Jodhpur on a witness in another case against Asaram, a senior police officer said Saturday. 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 on Friday when he was boarding the police vehicle after coming out of the court in Jodhpur. 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.