Odishatv Bureau
Jodhpur: Supporters of Asaram Bapu allegedly attacked a TV reporter and a cameraman at his ashram here today as Rajasthan Police headed to Madhya Pradesh to interrogate the self-styled godman and make an arrest if he does not provide "concrete" defence.
 
Asaram's supporters attacked the two mediapersons, 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.
 
He alleged that police officers did not respond to their phone calls. 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.
 
As the chorus for action against 72-year-old Asaram grew loud, the Jodhpur Police yesterday rejected his plea for extending the deadline for his appearance and headed towards Madhya Pradesh to interrogate him.
 
"We had received a fax from bapu yesterday stating that on account of his ill-health and death of his relative, he was not able to come in stipulated time and sought more time for appearance before the police for investigation.But we have decided not to give him any relief as we have no strong ground to believe, what he said in the fax", Jodhpur DCP Ajay Pal Lamba had said.
 
Regarding the possibility of Asaram's arrest, Lamba had said that as of now the police had adequate and strong evidence against him enabling it to make an arrest but it will give him a chance to prove him innocent during his interrogation.
 
"If he does not have concrete defence he will be arrested," he had said.
 
Asaram is accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old schoolgirl and inmate of his Jodhpur ashram.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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