Asaram medically fit to be interrogated,questioning to begin shortly: Police

The planned moves by the police came even as supporters of Asaram allegedly attacked a TV reporter and a cameraman at his Jodhpur ashram leaving them injured. Police said 13 people including a woman have been arrested in the attack which was condemned by the Broadcast Editors’ Association (BEA).

Related: 6 detained from ashram for attacking journalists

A day after 72-year-old Asaram ignored the Friday deadline for him to appear before Jodhpur police following summons,a police team will be questioning him at his Indore ashram and make an arrest if it is not satisfied with his defence against the allegations of sexual assault levelled by a 16-year-old girl,an inmate of his Jodhpur ashram.

Related: Jodhpur police team heads for Bhopal

“We have just got information that he(Asaram) is medically fit for interrogation. A Jodhpur police team will begin his questioning in the next few hours after it goes to the Indore Ashram,” Jodhpur DCP Ajay Lamba told reporters in Jodhpur this evening.”If we are not satisfied with the defence offered by Asaram we will arrest him,” Lamba said after it initially appeared that the police was clueless about the whereabouts of the controversial self-styled godman.

Asaram Bapu is unwell but not absconding,apologies to mediapersons for attack: Son

The speculation about Asaram’s whereabouts ended after Asaram’s son Narayan Sai claimed he is not evading the police and that he is recuperating at his ashram in Indore from illness.

Lamba said that the Jodhpur police got a fax from Indore ashram yesterday in which it was stated that Asaram had a “neurological problem” after he underwent a medical examination by doctors of Bhopal Medical College.

However,the latest communication from Indore police was that doctors of Indore Medical College have stated that Asaram is medically fit for travel and interrogation,he said. “We can given an official declaration of arrest only after communicating with Asaram Bapu,” Lamba added. Lamba said the Indore police is currently examining Asaram’s latest medical report.

“If Asaram Bapu presents any concrete defence before the investigating officer the decision(of any arrest) will be taken by him,” he added. Police have beefed up security near the Indore Ashram in view of the presence of large number of his supporters. “In view of a large number of Asaram supporters gathering at the ashram,adequate police force has been deployed around it. Senior officials are keeping an eye over the situation,” Bhanwarkuan Police Station In-charge AshokTiwari told reporters.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot condemned the attack on mediapersons outside the Jodhpur ashram. “I condemn the attack. It was an act of uncivilised people. The law will take its own course and action will be taken against all those involved in the crime,” Gehlot told reporters in Jaipur.

“We came here for coverage on information that Asaram’s supporter were arriving from different places. As we reached,some of his followers targeted us and snatched our camera. The locals came to our rescue,” the TV reporter,who was attacked,alleged. Police have also asked followers of Asaram,who have gathered outside the Jodhpur ashram,to leave.

Lamba said that borders of the district have been sealed and followers of Asaram will not be allowed to enter the city. “We have also asked neighbouring districts to make sure that the supporters are not mobilised,” he said. There were reports about Asaram having disappeared enroute to Indore from Bhopal yesterday as he faced possible arrest. But his son scotched these reports.

“Bapuji has problem with blood pressure and is suffering from trigeminal neuralgia. Talk about his going missing and running away from police is rubbish,” Narayan Sai told reporters at the Khandwa Road Ashram in Indore.