IANS

Gandhinagar, Dec 7: Spiritual guru Asaram Bapu and two of his disciples were Sunday charged with attempt to murder following an attack on an estranged supporter late Saturday, police said. Asaram's organisation termed the charges "malicious and defamatory".

Raju Chandak, the victim, had deposed before Justice D.K. Trivedi Commission probing the mysterious deaths of two boys - Dipesh Weghela and Abhishek Waghela - studying in a residential school in the premises of Asaram's ashram.

He had alleged bizarre rituals and numerous other objectionable activities took place in the premises.

Chandak suffered three bullet injuries and was taken to a private hospital, where he was operated upon. According to police, he is now out of danger.

In his complaint, he alleged the two men who shot him were followers of Asaram and carried out the attack at the guru's behest.

This is the first formal criminal complaint against the religious sect leader since the mysterious deaths of the boys.

According to police, the charges have been framed under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Arms Act.

A press release by Asaram's ashram denied any involvement in the attack and termed it a "malicious attempt to defame their head and the ashram".