ASARAM VIDEOGRAPHER (UNNAMED).

▮ Identity sealed · POCSO §23

Former devotee, Asaram cases (general)

Surat, Gujarat

“An unnamed former videographer for Asaram Bapu who served as a witness in the investigations survived a shooting attack in March 2014. The videographer was targeted by vehicle-borne assailants in Surat for cooperating with the police.”

This unnamed individual worked for several years as a personal videographer for Asaram Bapu, recording his daily interactions, private meetings, and events across various ashrams. Because of his work, he was present during meetings between Asaram and various female disciples, gaining knowledge of the inner workings of the Motera and Jodhpur ashrams, which made him a key source of information for investigators in late 2013.

Following the rape arrests, the videographer cooperated with the Gujarat Police SIT, providing them with digital recordings, logbooks, and details regarding Asaram Bapu's private quarters, which the prosecution used to build the case. In March 2014, while he was in Surat, vehicle-borne assailants fired multiple rounds at him. He survived the shooting without injury, and the incident was reported in national media as part of the violent campaign to silence witnesses.

The investigation into the shooting linked the attack to the hit squad led by Kartik Haldar and Tamraj, who had been instructed by ashram administrators to target former insiders cooperating with the police. The attack was designed to intimidate the videographer and prevent him from presenting the digital evidence in court, illustrating the high-risk environment surrounding the trials.

Despite the shooting, the videographer's statements remained part of the official investigation records, helping to secure the convictions of Asaram Bapu and Narayan Sai. The videographer's identity has been protected by law enforcement to prevent further attacks, and he continues to live in anonymity under witness protection programs. His case highlights the critical role played by former insiders in exposing the cult's activities.