(Image source from: Witness of a controversial case killed})

The witness Akhil Gupta in Surat rape case against 'godman' Asaram, was shot dead by un identified person in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar, reports said on Monday. According to the police the 35year old man was shot at when he was on his way to home on Sunday.

He was immediately taken to the nearest hospital where he was declared brought dead. He was cook and personal aide of Asaram, who is in custody of police for sexual assault on a minor girl.

The Gujarat Police had recorded Gupta's statement in connection with the case in 2013. The Gujarat authorities had recorded the statement of Gupta, considered an important witness in the case, before a court in Gandhinagar. Gupta was the strongest evidence as a witness against the godman.

Asaram and his son Narayan Sai face allegations of raping two Surat-based sisters.The godman was examined by the doctors from AIIMS as per the directions of the apex court. As Asaram applied for bail on medical ground but the panel said in its report that, Asaram was not suffering from any disease and his ailments can be treated by medicines. Thereby there might be fewer chances of getting bail on medical grounds.

AW: Arun Kumar