Hisar court acquits self-styled godman Rampal in two criminal cases

A Hisar court has acquitted self-styled godman Rampal, the head of Satlok Ashram in Barwala, in two criminal cases under sections 426 and 427. The verdict was pronounced by Judicial Magistrate Mukesh Kumar.

Rampal's lawyer AP Singh termed the decision as a victory of truth. Rampal, however, will still remain in jail as other cases are still pending against him.

Live Updates

# Rampal will remain in jail as there are other cases still pending against him

# Rampal has been acquitted in two criminal cases under sections 426 and 427

# The judge and Rampal's lawyer have reached the Hisar prison

# The court has been set up in Hisar prison itself.

He( self styled godman Rampal) has been acquitted in the two cases (426 and 427). Its a victory of truth: AP Singh ,Lawyer #Haryana pic.twitter.com/cuK3nTlSKN

— ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2017

The court in Hisar was hearing cases for alleged assault, obstructing a public servant, rioting and unlawful assembly, among others.

Sant Rampal has been acquitted in the two criminal cases: AP Singh Lawyer pic.twitter.com/wtPCGVowY0

— ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2017

On November 17, 2014, a case was registered against Rampal and his followers under IPC sections 186 (Obstructing public servant in discharge of his public function), 332 (Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty) and 353 (Assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his duty).

#ExpectedToday A Haryana court to pronounce its verdict on two criminal cases against self-styled godman Rampal.

— ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2017

The court in Hisar was hearing cases for alleged assault, obstructing a public servant, rioting and unlawful assembly, among others. 

Another case was registered against Rampal and his followers -- Purshotam Dass, Raj Kumar, Mohinder Singh, Rajender Singh, Rahul and 30-40 other persons -- on November 18, 2014 on a complaint of Sukhdev Singh of Ratia (Fatehabad)under IPC sections 147 (Rioting), 149 (Unlawful assembly, every other member of such assembly shall be guilty of the offence), 188 (disobedient to an order lawfully promulgated by a public servant) and 342 (Wrongfully confining any person).

Rampal was arrested after a tense standoff between some of his supporters and the police when close to 15,000 of his followers were evacuated from the sprawling premises in 2014.