Police round up 250 supporters, slap fresh cases on Rampal

Controversial sect leader Rampal's defiance of the law and the police has got him in bigger trouble. The self-styled godman has been slapped with fresh cases, his key aides have been taken into custody and over 250 of his trouble-making supporters have been rounded up by police.

The fresh cases against Rampal include those of sedition, attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy, illegal detention, rioting and others, Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) S.N. Vashisht said here Wednesday.

Rampal has also been booked under the Arms Act.

Police sources in Barwala in Haryana said Rampal's key aides Purshottam Dass and Raj Kapoor have been taken into custody.

"Each and every person coming out of the ashram is being checked and police have rounded up about 250 people, including those 20 who were involved in Tuesday's violence, and who were trying to escape posing as followers," Vashisht said.

"Police have registered cases against accused Rampal and some key functionaries of the ashram under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act. More sections would be added after fresh evidence comes up," he said.

Police have booked nearly 15 of Rampal's key aides along with many other unidentified people.

Claiming that the police strategy has been "successful" so far, Vashisht said that over 10,000 followers, including women, children and elderly people, were taken safely out of the ashram Tuesday night.

"Still, about 5,000 followers are camping inside and they too would be taken out safely," he added.