Police have said it is too early to comment on the attack on Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravishankar and stated they are looking into all aspects of the incident.
“It is too premature to comment right away,” IGP Central Range, Kamal Panth told reporters here.
He said police have begun investigations. A police team and forensic experts are conducting examinations and their reports have to be awaited before arriving at any conclusion, he said.
Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravishankar yesterday escaped bid on his life when an unidentified gunman shot at his car when he was returning after delivering a discourse, an ashram official said.
“We are looking into all aspects,” Panth said and added that the ashram members had provided information on the incident.
He said security measures have been beefed up. “Yes we have strengthened security”.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Ramanagaram district) Deveraj said an unidentified person fired a round at the convoy when Sri Sri Ravishankar was leaving after satsang in his ashram last evening. The injured devotee was discharged after first aid at a local hospital, he said.
Deveraj said the whole area has been cordoned off. “We have closed all entry points and have begun combing operation inside the premises. The identity of the person is yet to be ascertained,” he said.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister V S Acharya confirmed Sri Sri Ravishankar was safe and a thorough investigation would be carried out.
One of his devotees sustained a minor injury on the thigh with the bullet brushing past.
The incident took place around 6.15 PM when Ravishankar was returning to his ‘Kutir’ by car after addressing a gathering at the ‘Satsang’
“I am absolutely safe,” 54-year-old Sri Sri Ravishankar said shortly after the incident.
Sri Sri Ravishankar, who has a wide following all over the country and abroad, where he has set up centres of his organisation, said he had gone ahead with his discourse even after the incident. He said he would convene a press meet today in this regard.
The spiritual guru told a TV channel that he had not received any threat earlier.
Sri Sri Ravishankar has popularised ‘Sudarshan Kriya’, a powerful breathing technique in India and overseas.
Ashram spokesperson Charu said the incident came to light only after the spiritual leader shared it with his followers during a satsang scheduled around 7 PM.
“We were not aware of it (shooting) till he shared it with us,” she said.
There was a huge crowd when the incident occurred and this could possibly be the reason why it was not immediately noticed and the unidentified man remained untraced, she said.