Gandhinagar:
Godman Asaram Bapu, already under scrutiny for the mysterious deaths of two young men at his Ahmedabad ashram last year, now stands accused of planning a murder. Raju Chandak, a former aide who was fired at on Saturday night, has named him in an FIR. Chandak was hit by three bullets, but is in stable condition.
Chandak was a key witness in a judicial inquiry into the death of two boys who were studying at the guru's ashram; his testimony endangered his life, he believes.
Chandak, who used to be Asaram Bapu's secretary, testified that Asaram and his son practiced black magic. He also claimed that he quit the ashram after he discovered that women sadhaks were being molested.
Authorities at the ashram claim their guru is the victim of a slander campaign. The Sangh Parivar has also stepped in to help by asking chief minister Narendra Modi for protection for Asaram Bapu. "It's the religion of the state's chief to protect our temples, religious institutions and our religious gurus," says Ashok Singhal of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).
Late last month, Asaram Bapu's followers- hundreds of them - turned into a violent mob and attacked several police officers in Gandhinagar. That led to a raid at their ashram. Clearly, this godman's image has taken a beating.
Chandak was a key witness in a judicial inquiry into the death of two boys who were studying at the guru's ashram; his testimony endangered his life, he believes.
Chandak, who used to be Asaram Bapu's secretary, testified that Asaram and his son practiced black magic. He also claimed that he quit the ashram after he discovered that women sadhaks were being molested.
Authorities at the ashram claim their guru is the victim of a slander campaign. The Sangh Parivar has also stepped in to help by asking chief minister Narendra Modi for protection for Asaram Bapu. "It's the religion of the state's chief to protect our temples, religious institutions and our religious gurus," says Ashok Singhal of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).
Late last month, Asaram Bapu's followers- hundreds of them - turned into a violent mob and attacked several police officers in Gandhinagar. That led to a raid at their ashram. Clearly, this godman's image has taken a beating.
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