Asaram rape case: Witness' family seeks protection from Gujarat police

Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh: The family of Akhil Gupta, a witness in the Asaram rape case who was shot dead earlier this month, has sought protection from Gujarat police, saying that they were dissatisfied with the security provided by the Uttar Pradesh police.Speaking to reporters here yesterday, Gupta's wife Varsha said that she has approached the chief of the Special Investigating Team (SIT), probing the rape case against self-styled godman Asaram in Surat, for police protection as they feared for their lives.She also expressed her disappointment over UP Police still not having succeeded in tracing the accused.[caption id="attachment_2043533" align="alignleft" width="380"]

Rape accused self-styled godman Asaram Bapu. PTI[/caption]Gupta, 35, former cook and personal aide of Asaram, was the prime witness in the rape case against the self-styled godman in Surat.He was shot dead on Jansath Road under New Mandi police station area in Muzaffarnagar on his way back home by unidentified assailants.Gupta had given statement before a Gandhinagar Court under section 164 of CrPC along with some incriminating proof against Asaram, who is accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old schoolgirl.PTI