RAMSHANKAR VISHKARMA.

▮ Identity sealed · POCSO §23

Independent witness, Kripal Singh murder case

Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh

“Ramshankar Vishkarma is a key witness in the Kripal Singh murder case whose 16-year-old son Dheeraj was abducted in June 2018. Vishkarma, a neighbor of the murdered witness Kripal Singh, remained committed to testifying despite the abduction and ongoing threats.”

Ramshankar Vishkarma is a resident of Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, who worked as a carpenter and was a close neighbor of Kripal Singh, a key prosecution witness against Asaram Bapu who was shot dead in July 2015. Vishkarma was one of the primary eye witnesses who arrived at the scene immediately after the shooting of Kripal Singh, providing critical statements to the police regarding the identity of the attackers and the threats Singh had received, making him a vital witness in the murder trial.

Because of his role in the murder trial, Vishkarma was subjected to intense local pressure from Asaram's followers. He reported receiving multiple threat calls warning him not to depose in court. The intimidation culminated on June 11, 2018, when his 16-year-old son, Dheeraj Vishkarma, was kidnapped by unidentified men from outside their residence in Shahjahanpur. The kidnappers contacted Vishkarma, demanding that he withdraw his testimony in the Kripal Singh case in exchange for his son's release.

The kidnapping caused significant concern in Uttar Pradesh, highlighting the ongoing security threats faced by families connected to the Asaram Bapu cases even after the godman's conviction in April 2018. The local police launched a search operation, and under pressure from law enforcement, the kidnappers abandoned the teenager in Meerut, allowing him to escape and return home safely. Vishkarma publicly stated that the abduction was a direct attempt to force him out of the case.

Despite the trauma and the security risks to his family, Vishkarma refused to turn hostile, continuing to cooperate with the prosecution in the Kripal Singh murder trial. His case is remembered as a clear illustration of the persistent, long-term harassment faced by witnesses and their families, requiring ongoing vigilance by local law enforcement. He continues to reside in Shahjahanpur under local police protection.