In a blow to investigations in the Surat rape case against self styled godman Asaram, a witness 35-year-old Akhil Gupta, was shot dead by unidentified assailants on Jansath Road under New Mandi police station area in Muzaffarnagar.

The incident took place when he was on his way back home on Sunday evening. Police said that he was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was declared brought dead.

Gupta was cook and personal aide of self-styled Godman Asaram Bapu, who is in jail in connection with another case of sexual assault on a minor girl.

Two sisters in Surat have accused Asaram and his son Narayan Sai of raping them. Gupta was a witness in the case of rape against Asaram and had recorded his statement before a Gandhinagar court.

Source: IBN