Jodhpur Police seal Asaram Bapu's ashram following attack on journalists

Jodhpur Police sealed off the ashram of self-proclaimed godman Asaram Bapu on Saturday, following the assault on media personnel by the latter's supporters.

"Soon after the attack on the media by the supporters, the ashram has been evacuated. No outsiders are allowed to enter the ashram. This has been made clear to the people around the ashram. A legal proceeding by the police will be done against anyone who tries to violate the rules," Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Ajay Pal Lamba said.

Earlier, six supporters of Asaram Bapu were detained for attacking media personnel outside his ashram in Jodhpur.

According to reports, Asaram's supporters allegedly attacked IBN-7's reporter Bhawani Deora. Another IBN-7 video journalist was also injured in the attack.

On Friday, Jodhpur Police refused to give Asaram Bapu more time to present himself in connection with a case of sexually assaulting a minor at his Jodhpur ashram.

DCP Lamba said a team would be sent to Bhopal to investigate the alleged sexual assault case against Bapu.

Asaram Bapu has been booked under Sections 376, 342, 506 and 509 of the IPC, Section 8 of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and Sections 23 and 26 of the Juvenile Justice Act.

Besides the summons served on Asaram Bapu, notices have also been issued to the manager of the Chhindwara gurukul in Madhya Pradesh, the hostel warden and the main caretaker of Asaram, who was present at Manai Ashram in Jodhpur on August 15, when the alleged sexual assault took place there.

The 16-year-old girl, who has accused Asaram Bapu of sexually assaulting her at his ashram in Jodhpur, hails from Uttar Pradesh.