Self-styled godman Rampal acquitted in 2006 ashram violence case

JK Gakhar, Rampal’s lawyer, said that he was acquitted for lack of evidence. There were 78 witnesses in the case and all of them denied allegations that the injured and deceased were hit by firing done by the accused persons

: A local court on Tuesday acquitted self-styled godman Rampal and 23 others in connection with the case of violent clash outside his Satlok ashram in Karontha village in Rohtak district in 2006 due to lack of evidence.

Self-styled godman Rampal acquitted in 2006 ashram violence case

Besides the acquittal, the additional district and sessions judge Rakesh Singh sentenced three men, Sunil, Devendra and Krishan Kant, to two-year jail under the Arms Act. The court also slapped a fine of ₹ 5,000 each on the trio.

JK Gakhar, Rampal’s lawyer, said that he was acquitted for lack of evidence. There were 78 witnesses in the case and all of them denied allegations that the injured and deceased were hit by firing done by the accused persons, he said.

According to police, as many as 38 persons, including Rampal, were booked under sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 148, 149, 323 of the Indian penal code and relevant sections of the Arms Act by Rohtak police in 2006.

“The bullets that hit the deceased did not match with the bullets recovered from the weapons of the accused. Three persons were convicted for two years each under the Arms Act as they were carrying weapons without license,” he added.

Rampal remained in jail in connection with the case for nearly two years. After being released in 2008, he shifted his base to Barwala in Hisar district where a clash between his supporters and police had also taken place.

A police spokesman said that of the 38 people booked in the case, five persons died during the trial and six were declared as proclaimed offenders.

“Of the six proclaimed offenders, Rampal’s brother Mahender was arrested and judgment on his role is yet to come,” the spokesman added.