Asaram rape: Police beef up security at girl’s house after witness dies

BAREILLY: After Kripal Singh, the prime witness in the rape case involving godman Asaram Bapu, died on the night of July 11 after being shot by unidentified gunmen, police teams have been sent to Lucknow, Ahmedabad and other places to nab suspects on the basis of Singh’s dying statement given to a magistrate. Meanwhile, security has been tightened around the house of the girl who had alleged Asaram of raping her. The condition of Kripal Singh, who was admitted to a private hospital in Bareilly, deteriorated suddenly and he died at around 11.15 pm on Saturday night.According to doctors, Kripal had been left paralyzed below the waist after a bullet pierced his spinal cord. On Saturday afternoon, an emergency operation was also conducted and Kripal was placed on ventilator support. However, despite several efforts, he succumbed to his injuries.The body of the victim was taken to his native Shahjahanpur by police on Sunday afternoon after conducting the postmortem and his cremation was performed in the evening. “We have now added charges undetr section 302 (murder) in the FIR, against three persons named by the family and victim. Police teams have been sent to different districts including Lucknow and Bareilly to nab suspects,” said J P Tiwari, inspector, Sadar Bazar police station, talking to TOI.He added that security has been beefed up outside the house of the girl who had leveled rape charges against Asaram. Police personnel are guarding the premises and family round the clock. Meanwhile, the father of the survivor once again reiterated his demand for a CBI inquiry into the attacks on witnesses who have deposed against Asaram in court. “We are pained by the death of Kripal Singh and police should nab the persons involved in the attack immediately,” he said.It may be recalled that Singh, a resident of Gwal Toli was shot on Friday night when he had gone out to purchase grocery, by two unidentified motorcycle-borne miscreants. He was rushed to the district hospital in Shahjahanpur, where doctors referred him to Bareilly.