A clash between supporters of self-claimed godman Asaram Bapu and police officials during the wee hours of Monday left over 20 people injured, including seven police officials, at Parliament Street Police Station.
Hundreds of protesters gathered at the police station late night on Sunday demanding release of Asaram, who currently is lodged in a jail in Jodhpur. “The protesters dared police to arrest them too,” said a senior police officer.
The clash broke out when police officials tried to clear the area after warning the protesters. While one violent group allegedly vandalised police vehicles parked outside the police station, another tried to break open a barricade.
According to police officials, they had to resort to lathi-charge and when the situation could not be brought under control, teams from other police stations in close proximity were summoned as reinforcement.
Seven policemen, including the Station House Officer of Barakhamba Road Police Station, and at least 13 Asaram supporters were injured in the clash. While the supporters dispersed and fled the area later, the injured officials were rushed to RMl Hospital.
“At least six police vehicles sustained damages after the incident,” added the officer. A case of rioting, vandalism, causing damage to public property, criminal assault on public servants and other charges was registered in connection with the incident but no one was arrested till late evening.
A teenage girl of Asaram’s Chindwara-based gurukul had accused Asaram of sexual assault at his ashram near Jodhpur. Following the girl’s complaint, Asaram was arrested by Jodhpur police on August 31, 2013 and is in jail since then. A group of Asaram supporters camped at Jantar Mantar, days after he was arrested, protesting against the police action against the self-styled godman.