The Jodhpur police on Saturday sealed Asaram Bapu’s ashram at Pal Road in Jodhpur after his followers attacked mediapersons. The police also imposed Section 144 of the CrPC around the ashram and deployed extra forces. Around half-a-dozen mediapersons were injured when Asaram’s followers attacked them. The police had arrested six of his followers, including the caretaker of the ashram.
Asaram’s followers made a violent attack on journalists when they were camping outside his ashram and shooting the gathering of followers. Though Jodhpur deputy commissioner Ajay Lamba had assured on Friday that security had been tightened in view of the godman’s possible arrest. it proved to be wrong.
The journalists were caught unawares when a mob came out of the ashram and started beating them. The mob hurled stones and used batons to attack the mediapersons.
Meanwhile, the ruling Congress attacked Asaram Bapu while the Opposition BJP leaders condemned the attack. but were soft on the sexual assault case against him.
CM Ashok Gehlot said no one is above the law. He questioned the BJP’s silence. “What is the much-touted Gujarat model of the BJP? Is it same model attacking the media and others?” he asked. BJP general secretary Satish Punia blamed the state government. “It was the state government’s duty to protect mediapersons,” he said.
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Asaram aide surrenders in Jodhpur
Age Correspondent
Jaipur, Aug. 31
Asaram Bapu’s aide Sevadar Shiva appeared before the police in Jodhpur on Saturday and surrendered. “I am innocent,” he said after his surrender.
His name has figured in the sexual assault case along with Asaram Bapu and two others. The police also summoned him and asked him to present himself before it on August 30. “Since I was not well, I came today,” he said.
The self-styled godman’s aide, accompanied by his lawyer on Saturday, produced himself before deputy commissioner of police Ajay Lamba and claimed that the case was false. “Not only me but (Asaram) Bapu is also innocent,” he said.
Sevadar Shiva said his mobile phone tracking was enough to prove that he was not at the site.
“It is a well-thought-out conspiracy against me and Asaram Bapu,” said Shiva. “The girl came here, she came on her own, not on Asaram Bapu’s invitation. She was ill,” he said.