Parents of boys found dead near Asaram's ashram detained during protest

Ahmedabad: Parents and relatives of two minor boys, who were found dead under mysterious circumstances near Asaram Bapu's ashram in 2008, were today detained for protesting alleged police inaction against the controversial godman without permission.

"Twenty-five people were detained today after they staged a protest near Income-Tax Circle despite not having permission for the same. They were released after two hours," Naranpura Police Inspector H K Rana said.

However, the protesters, including parents of other children who also allegedly went missing from the ashram, today claimed that they were demonstrating non-violently.

"The police action has shown once again that the BJP-led Gujarat government wants to shield Asaram Bapu and his son," Jignesh Mevani, who led the protest, said.

More from India

"Families of the victim boys - Dipesh and Abhishek Vaghela - protested non-violently but the police detained them, claiming that permission for the demonstration was cancelled," Mevani said.

Meanwhile, parents of Dipesh Vaghela and Abhishek Vaghela, said that they would file an application in the Gujarat High Court, seeking a CBI probe into the death of the two children.

Cousins Dipesh Vaghela (10) and Abhishek Vaghela (11) went missing from Asaram Bapu's residential school on July 3, 2008 under mysterious circumstances. On July 5, 2008, their mutilated bodies were found on the Sabamati river bed near the ashram.

After the two boys were found dead, there were allegations that the deaths were linked to black magic practised in the ashram.

PTI