Key witness in Asaram Bapu rape case shot dead

Muzaffarnagar: One of the key witnessed in the rape case against self-proclaimed godman Asaram Bapu was shot dead by unidentified persons in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar district on Sunday.

According to police, 35-year-old Akhil Gupta was on his was home when he was attacked. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was declared brought dead.

Gupta was Asaram’s cook and personal aide. 

"The witness, Akhil Gupta, was travelling home on his scooter when two people on a motorcycle overtook him and shot him dead. Investigations are still on," SSP Harinarayan Singh told reporters.

Asaram was arrested in September 2013 after a 16-year-old girl lodged a police complaint on August 20, 2013, accusing him of sexually assaulting her at his ashram in Jodhpur.

In 2013, the Gujarat Police had questioned Gupta in connection with the case against Asaram.

Two sisters in Surat have accused Asaram and his son Narayan Sai of raping them and threatening them with dire consequences.