Rampal acquitted in two cases, but to remain in jail
HISAR: The court of judicial magistrate (first class) Mukesh Kumar on Tuesday acquitted self-styled godman Rampal in two cases related to rioting, unlawful assembly and use of force, but he won’t walk free as he is facing several other charges, including murder. The verdict came a day after CBI special judge Jagdeep Singh awarded 20-year rigorous imprisonment to Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case.
The court granted the relief to the head of Satlok Ashram in Haryana’s Barwala and his followers at a makeshift court set up inside Hisar central jail, citing lack of evidence.
“Rampal and his hundreds of the followers has been acquitted in the two cases registered under Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 426 (punishment for mischief) 146 (rioting), 149 (unlawful assembly), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and 342 (wrongful confinement),” said Rampal’s lawyer AP Singh.
The two cases were registered against Rampal and his followers in November 2014.
The self-styled godman was arrested after a week-long standoff between his supporters and the police after around 15,000 of his followers were evacuated from the Satlok Ashram premises in 2014.
SELFSTYLED GODMAN IS ALSO FACING OTHER SERIOUS CHARGES, INCLUDING MURDER, SEDITION AND RIOTING.