Police clueless about Asaram Bapu's whereabouts

A large number of his supporters gathered outside his ashram at Khandwa Road in Indore while his whereabouts are not known after he left Bhopal in a vehicle last evening. The self-styled godman was summoned by Rajasthan Police for questioning in connection with a case of alleged sexual assault but he did not appear before them yesterday when the deadline expired.

In view of the presence of large number of his supporters at his ashram in Indore, police have deployed their personnel near the premises. "In view of a large number of Asaram supporters gathering in the ashram, adequate police force has been deployed around it. Senior officials are keeping an eye over the situation," Bhanwarkuan Police Station In-charge Ashok Tiwari told reporters.

Tiwari claimed Indore Police had no information about the whereabouts of the 72-year-old religious preacher, who has been accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old schoolgirl, who was an inmate of his ashram in Jodhpur.

Specifically asked if Asaram is present in his Indore Ashram, the official said he has no idea. He said the Jodhpur Police, probing the case, has not contacted their Indore counterparts so far on the issue. After leaving Bhopal yesterday, Asaram, along with his son Narayan Sai, was reportedly spotted in a sport utility vehicle at the Dewas Toll Naka near here. The police, however, did not confirm the same.

Earlier in the day, supporters of Asaram Bapu allegedly attacked a TV reporter and a cameraman at his Jodhpur ashram, leaving them injured. "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 alleged.

Police have detained six persons in connection with the attack. "We have identified and detained six persons from the Ashram. Other involved in the attack are also being rounded up," the police said

Rajasthan Chief minister Ashok Gehlot condemned the attack on mediapersons outside the Jodhpur ashram of the self-styled godman. "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 on the sidelines of a function in Jaipur. u00a0