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Chandigarh: Nearly seven years after being sentenced to life imprisonment in connection with the deaths of five disciples at his Satlok Ashram in Barwala (Hisar), controversial preacher Rampal has secured relief from the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Gurvinder Singh Gill and Justice Deepinder Singh Nalwa on Wednesday ordered the suspension of Rampal’s sentence during the pendency of his appeal, citing his advanced age — around 74 years — and the substantial period of incarceration already undergone. As per court records, Rampal has completed 10 years, 8 months, and 21 days in custody.

Conditions Imposed

While granting relief, the High Court imposed strict conditions, directing Rampal to refrain from promoting mob mentality or attending congregations that could potentially disturb law and order. The Bench cautioned that the State would be free to seek cancellation of bail if Rampal violated these terms or indulged in activities inciting unrest.

Rampal was convicted by a Hisar Special Court in October 2018 under Sections 343, 302, and 120-B of the IPC for murder, wrongful confinement, and criminal conspiracy after five women followers died during a police siege of his ashram in November 2014.

The confrontation unfolded when security forces attempted to execute non-bailable warrants against Rampal in a contempt of court matter. His followers resisted, leading to a tense standoff. Hundreds were confined inside the ashram premises, with many later alleging they were held against their will.

According to the prosecution, Rampal and his close aides forcibly confined the women, creating conditions of suffocation that led to their deaths. State counsel reiterated before the High Court that Rampal was effectively using followers as human shields.

Defence Argument

Rampal’s counsel, however, maintained that he was falsely implicated and that the deaths were due to natural causes, not homicide. Citing medical reports, the defence claimed that all five women had died of asphyxia caused by suffocation, possibly worsened by tear gas used during the police operation. Eyewitnesses, including relatives of the deceased, later turned hostile and did not support the prosecution’s version.

Taking note of these conflicting narratives, the Bench observed: “There are certainly some debatable issues regarding whether the cause of death was homicidal. Even the eyewitnesses have not supported the prosecution’s case and instead suggested that suffocation resulted from tear gas shells.”

Rampal, a self-styled godman with a large follower base across Haryana, Punjab, and parts of Madhya Pradesh, has been a polarising figure in north India’s religious landscape. His arrest in 2014 came after a dramatic standoff involving thousands of his followers and a heavy police crackdown, which resulted in deaths, injuries, and widespread media attention.

Though his physical influence has waned during his incarceration, Rampal still commands loyalty among sections of disciples, particularly in rural Haryana and Punjab. With the High Court’s suspension of sentence, speculation is rife about whether his return outside prison walls could revive his sect’s activities or trigger political ripples, especially given his past ability to mobilize large gatherings.