Asaram Bapu Gurukul kids’ death: Court summons seven

In July 2008, two children studying at the Ashram-run Gurukul were found dead in mysterious circumstances in Sabarmati river

A metropolitan court on Tuesday issued summons to all the seven accused chargesheeted in connection with the mysterious death of two children studying at Gurukul run by Asaram Bapu's Ashram at Motera.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate D B Barot issued the summons and ordered seven disciples of Asaram to remain present befire it on Wednesday when they will be given copies of chargesheets filed by the investigating agency, CID (Crime), said advocate Chandrashekhar Gupta.

Last year in September, CID had filed the chargesheet against the seven persons. All the accused are out on bail including Uday Sangani, Pankaj Saxena, Yogesh Bhati, Ajay Shah, Vikas Khemka, Min Ketan Patra and Kaushik Vani.

For the first time after the chargesheet, the court has issued summons in the case. While confirming the summons advocate B M Gupta, who represents Ashram, said court while taking congnizance of the chargesheet has asked the accused to remain present on January 23 before the court.

In July 2008, two children Abhishek Vaghela (11) and Dipesh Vaghela (10) studying at the Ashram-run Gurukul were found dead in mysterious circumstances in Sabarmati river, which led a statewide uproar and protests. The Gurukul is few mitres away from the Sabarmati river bank.

Their parents had alleged that the "black magic" performed by Asaram and his son Narayan Sai was responsible for the death of their children.

State government has handed over the probe of the case to state CID (Crime) which, after the major statewide outcry against Asaram, had registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder (Sec 304 of IPC) against the seven disciples of Asaram who were working at the Ashram or in Gurukul in different capacities at the time of the death of the children.

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