Asaram witness killing: Minister assures justice to victim's family

 Union Minister of state for Agriculture Sanjeev Balyan has assured justice to the family of the slain witness in the sexual assault case against self-styled godman Asaram.

Muzaffarnagar (UP): Union Minister of state for Agriculture Sanjeev Balyan has assured justice to the family of the slain witness in the sexual assault case against self-styled godman Asaram.

The Minister yesterday met Akhil Gupta's family members including his father, mother and wife Varsha?at their residence here and assured them of providing justice in the case.

Balyan said that he would request Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to conduct a CBI inquiry into Gupta's death and would write a letter to him in this connection.

He said that free and fair inquiry is essential as it is a high-profile case.

The victim's family members have earlier said that they are not satisfied with the investigation of local police and also demanded a CBI inquiry into the case.

35-year-old Gupta, a 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 the district on his way back home by unidentified assailants on January 11. The perpetrators are still at large and no arrest has been made so far.

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.

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