In Uttar Pradesh, a witness in the Asaram Bapu's Surat rape case, 35-year-old Akhil Gupta, was shot dead by unidentified assailants under New Mandi police station area in Muzaffarnagar yesterday evening. Police said Gupta was shot at when he was on his way home .

He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was declared brought dead. Gupta was a 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.

He was a witness in the case of rape against Asaram and had recorded his statement before a Gandhinagar court. AIR correspondent reports that Gujarat police had earlier interrogated Gupta who later became approver in the case. The Gujrat police has sought details of the murder incident, sources said. The autopsy has been performed on Gupta's body. No arrest could be made till now.