Haryana Police team at Rampal's Betul ashram for probe

A Haryana Police team visited arrested spiritual guru Rampal's ashram in this Madhya Pradesh district to make enquiries after he revealed his followers had been given commando training there, police said Saturday.

According to police sources, the Haryana Police team was accompanied by local police and the state armed police as it went to the under-construction ashram in Urhdan area. The Haryana Police team also scrutinised documents of the ashram's land.

The ashram, situated near Urhdan on National Highway 69, is spread over nearly 70 acres. A shed with the capacity to seat 50,000 people is nearly ready. The premises have two man-made lakes while construction of other buildings is underway.

The questioning of Rampal, who was arrested Nov 19 from his Satlok Ashram near Barwala in Haryana's Hisar district after a stand-off and clashes between his supporters and security forces, elicited the information about the training of his followers in his Madhya Pradesh ashram. Following the revelation, the Haryana Police sent a team to Betul for investigation.

Sub Inspector Rajpal Singh, who led the Haryana Police team, said their probe was on, while Betul Kotwali SHO Pankaj Tyagi said they were offering all assistance.