india

Updated: Jul 18, 2014 20:24 IST

A care taker of godman Asaram-Bapu lodged in Jodhpur jail in connection with sexually assaulting a minor girl, was arrested by Jodhpur Police on Friday afternoon for allegedly threatening parents of victim to not record evidence before the Jodhpur court.

Victim's father alleged that caretaker Arjun alias Pankaj from the Sabarmati ashram of Asaram reached to his hotel room thrice during the last 24 hours and threatened him to not give evidence against the godman before the Jodhpur court. On Friday morning, Arjun again approached victim's father in hotel room and allegedly tried to assault him, before security guards of Uttar Pradesh Police deployed in their security nabbed him.

"Arjun knocked by hotel room at around 9.00am this morning and started shouting upon me while giving threat that he will kill all of my family if I will appear before the court for giving my statements in sexual assault case," victim's father told the Jodhpur police, which arrest Arjun from the hotel premises.

Arjun reportedly threatened them twice on Thursday night also for not giving statements against Asaram.

Victim's father alleged that followers and caretakers of godman are constantly threatening him to withdraw the case.

"We have arrested Arjun for threatening the parents of victims and are interrogating him," said Rahul Jain, Deputy Commissioner of Police, adding that the Arjun was once arrested by CBI in another case and we are checking his credentials.

Meanwhile, District and Session Court (Jodhpur rural) has directed the Police Commissioner to ensure adequate security to the victim and her parents after a fearful mother of the victim denied beginning cross-examination over her statements by the defence counsels. Court has adjourned hearing till July 22 next.

District Court has just concluded the evidence of victim's mother on Thursday and she was produced before the court for the cross examination by defence counsel, but her counsel in an application told the court she would not be able to appear for cross examination.