Asaram Bapu's son addressing the media in Indore
As more than 300 Rajasthan Police personnel waited in Indore to question Asaram Bapu, accused of sexually assaulting a schoolgirl, his son Narayan Sai appeared before the media and said his father is unwell and not missing.
"Bapu has neurological problems and is being treated, not hiding or underground as being claimed. As soon as his health gets stable, he will answer all the questions that the Jodhpur police has for him," the self-styled godman's son said.
Meanwhile, Asaram's bodyguard, who is accused of taking the girl to the guru's Jodhpur ashram, surrendered to the police.
There was a clash today in Jodhpur where the self-styled godman's supporters attacked journalists at his ashram, which has now been sealed.
"Asaram Bapu's supporters snatched our mikes and camera," said a TV journalist who was hit on his head. Another journalist received stitches after he was wounded.
The police detained seven of his supporters to prevent further trouble.
The Rajasthan police has been stressing in recent days that it is concerned about violent reactions from his followers as it prepares to arrest him. The 75-year-old guru missed yesterday's deadline to meet investigators in Jodhpur.
In Uttar Pradesh, the complainant's father has started an indefinite fast demanding the self-styled godman's immediate arrest.
Asaram Bapu, who has 400 ashrams across India, was accused by the 16-year-old complainant of forcing himself on her and threatening to kill her and her parents if she reported him.