Six detained from Asaram Bapu’s Jodhpur ashram for attacking journalists

Footage on television news channels showed some mediapersons bleeding after the attack,even as Asaram’s supporters shouted anti-media slogans. Trouble started after many of Asaram’s supporters gathered outside the ashram.

According to reports,there was no police outside the ashram. As there was no police presence, it was nearby villagers who came to the journalists’ rescue. Asaram Supporters also pelted stones on an OB van.

Related: ‘Asaram to face arrest if he fails to turn up for questioning’

“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 and locals came to our rescue,” the TV journalist alleged.

He alleged that police officers did not respond to their phone calls. Police said medical examination of both the mediapersons would be conducted and action would be taken against those involved in the attack.

Reacting to the incident,Union Minister Manish Tewari strongly condemned the attack on journalists in Jodhpur. He said the assault on journalists was really disturbing,and requested the Rajasthan government to look into the matter.

The self-styled godman has been evading his arrest since the complaint was filed against him. In his latest move,he has said he cannot surrender for questioning by Jodhpur police,citing his relative’s death.

Related: Asaram Bapu withdraws transit bail petition in sexual assault case

This came even as the Jodhpur police on Friday rejected his plea for extending the deadline for his appearance and headed towards Bhopal to interrogate him.

“We had received a fax from bapu yesterday stating that on account of his ill-health and death of his relative,he was not able to come in stipulated time and sought more time for appearance before the police for investigation.But we have decided not to give him any relief as we have no strong ground to believe,what he said in the fax”,Jodhpur DCP Ajay Pal Lamba had said.

Regarding the possibility of Asaram’s arrest,Lamba had said that as of now the police had adequate and strong evidence against him enabling it to make an arrest but it will give him a chance to prove him innocent during his interrogation.

“If he does not have concrete defence he will be arrested,” he had said.

Asaram is accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old schoolgirl and inmate of his Jodhpur ashram.

Referring to the grounds for his plea for extending the deadline,especially ill-health,Lamba had said the investigating team will examine the veracity of his plea and then only it will be decided whether he needs time or not.

“If there is strong ground justifying his plea,we may consider relaxation on humanitarian ground”,Lamba said.

In his fax,Asaram had has also stated that “Not only me but my followers are also in deep trauma following allegations of sexual exploitation on me and this trauma took the life of one of my relative. So every move of police should be driven by humanitarian angle”.

The fax said that police should take care that his followers are not traumatised. “At least in case of a saint,police must keep this in mind”,the fax said.

In the fax,Asaram stated that he will himself appear before police once he was fine.

(With PTI inputs)