Asaram Bapu ashram official injured in attack

NEW DELHI - A senior official of spiritual leader Asaram Bapu’s organisation was seriously injured after he was attacked by unidentified men early Monday, police said.

The attack took place at the Asaram Bapu ashram in central Delhi’s Rajinder Nagar around 4 a.m., a senior police official said.

Police said they suspect an insider’s hand behind the attack.

“Mahant Manibhai Patel, 76, heard a knock on his door. When he came out, he was attacked by some people with a blunt object and hit on his face and head,” the official said.

Patel immediately raised an alarm and his driver came rushing to his help but was also attacked.

“Both of them fell unconscious and were rushed to the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital where doctors said the two suffered serious injuries,” the official said.

Ashram residents claimed that nobody left the building after the incident.

“Guards have told us that no one has escaped from the premises. So, we suspect it is the job of insiders,” the official said.

A case of attempt to murder has been registered against unidentified people.

Patel is incharge of the ashram’s affairs in five north Indian states.