Police launch manhunt for killers of witness in Asaram case

Three police teams have been formed to apprehend the two assailants who shot dead Akhil Gupta, a witness in the rape case against Asaram Bapu in Surat, last evening. Akhil's cousin Ashish Gupta has lodged an FIR against two unidentified persons, Senior Superintendent of Police H N Singh said on Monday. 

Three teams led by SP- city, Sarvan Kumar have been formed to trace the accused, he said. Police are investigating various angles including whether the murder was linked to Asaram's case or it was a fallout of old enmity, officials said.

Akhil was returning home from his shop on a scooter when the two motorcycle-borne assailant shot at him. He was declared dead in district hospital last evening. Gupta was a cook and personal aide of self-styled 'Godman' Asaram, who is in jail since September 2013 in connection with another case of sexual assault on a minor girl in Jodhpur.

Two sisters in Surat have accused Asaram and his son Narayan Sai of raping them. Gupta was a witness in the rape case against Asaram and had recorded his statement before a Gandhinagar court. 

Also Read: Witness in Asaram Bapu's Surat rape case shot dead