Asaram Bapu's estranged supporter still has bullet in chest

Asaram BapuGandhinagar, Dec 9 : Raju Chandok, the estranged supporter of Asaram Bapu who has accused the spiritual guru of masterminding an attack on him, continued to be in hospital Wednesday with a bullet in his chest.

Chandok was shot by two unidentified people Saturday night while he was returning home. He took three bullets in his body and was rushed to a hospital where he is recovering well, said his brother Mahesh.

Rajesh Hyderabadi, the cardio-vascular thoracic surgeon who operated on him and removed two of the three bullets embedded in his body, told IANS that though he is still in the intensive care unit (ICU), he should recover within a week.

One of the bullets that had fractured his ribs has been removed but another lodged inside his chest is still there.

"Surgical intervention at this stage to remove it may cause complications to his already fragile health. Since it is not life-threatening, we have left it alone for the moment and may tackle it, if necessary, when his condition stabilises," he added.

Closely associated with Asaram and his ashram, both in Gujarat and Rajasthan for over two decades in a key position, Chandok had subsequently moved away.

He had deposed before the 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 that bizarre rituals and numerous other objectionable activities took place in the premises

Following Chandok's complaint, Asaram and two of his disciples have been charged with attempt to murder.(IANS)