Police bring Rampal to ashram for investigation

The Haryana Police Sunday brought self-styled godman Rampal back to his sprawling Satlok Ashram near here to investigate the activities of the sect leader and his sect.

Rampal, who was arrested last Wednesday after a stand-off of nearly 10 days and violent clashes between his supporters and security forces, is currently in police custody following court orders.

This is the first time that the sect leader was brought back to his 12-acre Ashram complex near this town in Hisar district, 210 km from Chandigarh, after his arrest.

Police officials here said that Rampal was brought here to help the special investigation team (SIT), which is searching his ashram complex since Thursday, uncover the secrets of the complex, including huge lockers kept there.

During the search of one of the warehouses Sunday, the police teams recovered hundreds of sticks. These were kept for use by Rampal supporters to thwart any move by police to enter the premises.

Rampal has been slapped with cases of murder, attempt to murder, sedition, rioting, illegal detention and others.

Six people, including five women and an infant, lost their lives in the stand-off between Rampal followers and security forces last week.