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Hisar: A day after the Punjab and Haryana High Court granted regular bail to controversial guru Sant Rampal, who has been lodged in Hisar jail for over 11 years, his supporters have begun assembling in the city, prompting heightened security arrangements by the district administration.
According to his legal team, Rampal is expected to be released once procedural formalities are completed. His lawyer said that the bail bond will be deposited in a Hisar court, following which release orders will be issued to jail authorities. The release is likely around April 11, and authorities are anticipating a large gathering of followers.
Police and administration officials have been placed on alert to manage law and order, given Rampal’s sizeable support base across multiple states.
Barwala Ashram Standoff
Rampal first came into major legal trouble in 2014 after repeatedly defying court summons in a criminal case. The situation escalated into a violent standoff at the Satlok Ashram in Barwala, Hisar, where thousands of his followers had gathered.
On November 19, 2014, Haryana Police stormed the fortified ashram after a prolonged confrontation. The operation led to the death of six followers, including women and a child, while several others, including police personnel, were injured. Nearly 900 followers were arrested during the crackdown, and thousands were evacuated.
Earlier Controversies and Rise
The 78-year-old godman hails from Dhanana village in Sonipat district and is a former junior engineer in the irrigation department. He left his government job in the mid-1990s to pursue spiritual activities and established the Satlok Ashram in Karontha, Rohtak.
Rampal gained prominence within the Kabir Panthi sect, building a large following across Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Nepal. However, he remained a controversial figure, particularly due to his remarks against the Arya Samaj, which led to protests and clashes.
His Karontha ashram had also witnessed violence in 2006, resulting in one death. He was arrested in that case and spent nearly two years in jail before securing bail in 2008.
Cases and Legal Status
Rampal faced multiple FIRs (Nos. 426 to 430) registered at Barwala police station in November 2014, including serious charges such as murder and sedition.
He was awarded life imprisonment in two murder cases, though those sentences were later stayed by the High Court. He has since been acquitted in two FIRs, while the current bail pertains to the remaining case involving sedition charges.
Ashrams and Support Network
Rampal is believed to operate around 15 ashrams across the country, including several in Haryana. The Barwala ashram, where the 2014 crackdown took place, remains under administrative control.
Despite his prolonged incarceration, his followers have remained active. Recently, they were seen participating in flood relief efforts across parts of Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan, claiming to have assisted over 300 villages with equipment and manpower. With his imminent release, authorities are closely monitoring the situation to ensure public order, even as his supporters prepare to welcome him after more than a decade behind bars.
