Lucknow: Another prime witness in the sexual assault case of self-styled Godman Asaram Bapu sustained severe injuries after being shot at in UP, said police sources.

The witness identified as Kripal Singh (35) was attacked here in Shahjahanpur town on Friday. He was stopped by few unidentified men who came in two wheelers near Imli Road. He is said to have been returning from work when he was attacked. Soon after, he was taken to the district hospital. He has been shifted to a hospital in Bareilly after doctors recommended it, considering his critical condition.

Singh is said to have worked with the sexual assault victim’s father who has accused Asaram of sexually abusing her in his ashram, police said. He has also testified against Asaram in the past and had been a disciple of the seer once. He was a close confidante of Asaram and was counted as one of his closest.

In the past too, there have been attacks on the witnesses in the case where Asaram was accused of sexually abusing a minor in his Jodhpur Ashram in Rajasthan.