Self-styled godman Asaram’s close aide Shiva on Thursday said Asaram was innocent. He said the police was putting pressure on him to speak against the “godman”. Shiva blamed the Congress for the action against Asaram. The police, however, denied the charges. Asaram’s followers have been consulting with lawyers to move the high court for his bail.
Currently in police custody, Shiva told mediapersons on Thursday in Jodhpur that the police was forcing him to signature on papers. Shiva even feigned ignorance about the warden Shilpi, serving at the gurukul in Chhindwara. “I do not know about her,” he said. The police produced him before the court on Wednesday in Jodhpur while the court remanded him to three-day police custody. He denied that there was any CD about Asaram and said it was the police which was circulating wrong information. Police sources said Shiva was not cooperating in the investigation.
According to the sources, the police is analysing call details between August 6 to 14. Sources said Shiva, Shilpi and hostel warden Sharat were consistently in touch with each other and also speaking to the victim’s father. But there were no calls on the mobile numbers from August 15 to 18.
It was Shiva who handled Asaram’s mobile phone and connected people with him when needed.
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Peeved seer chops off genitals
Age Correspondent
Lucknow, Sept. 5
In a shocking incident, a 60-year-old Hindu seer chopped off his genitals at Amethi district on Wednesday night, in an apparent protest against the alleged sexual assault on a girl by spiritual guru Asaram Bapu.
The profusely bleeding Baba Premdas was admitted to a medical facility in Amethi and the doctors attending on him said that his condition was critical due to excessive loss of blood.
On Thursday, the seer was referred to Sultanpur for advanced treatment and plastic surgery.
According to police reports, the incident took place in Madhopur village and the motive behind it was still not clear.
Amethi superintendent of police Alankrita Singh said unless the seer was in a position to speak, nothing could be said.
An investigating official said that the act could have been a protest against what Asaram is alleged to have done.