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Rampal still inside Hisar ashram, 4 women found dead: Police

by IBNS 19 Nov 2014, 11:22 am

Hisar, Nov 19 (IBNS): Amid reports of deaths of four women inside the Hisar ashram of a murder accused godman, police said Wednesday they are fully engaged in operation to arrest self-styled Sant Rampal who is still holed up inside the campus where he is being protected by thousands of his supporters leading to a standoff with the cops.

"We will arrest him and take him to court. Operation will continue without halt. Rampal is still in the ashram," said Haryana director general of police S. N. Vashisht addressing a press conference.

 "Anyone obstructing us will have to face law," said Vashisht adding that Police has not yet entered the ashram. 

He said people are being rescued by police and four bodies of women who died were handed over to police.

"Police have no clue when they died. Only post-mortem can tell the cause of their deaths but they had no injuries in their bodies," he said giving details of some deaths occurring inside the ashram. 

A day ago the Barwala town on the outkirts of Hisar turned into a battle zone  after police tried to arrest  Sant Rampal, who has been allegedly accused in a eight-year-old murder case.

Policemen in riot gear used teargas shells, water-cannons, batons and bulldozers Tuesday to enter controversial guru Rampal's sprawling "Satlok Ashram" at Hisar in Haryana as thousands of his supporters fought to prevent his arrest.

After hours of jostling and battling with armed supporters, police returned empty-handed, as they couldn't find 63-year-old Rampal, who is inside the 12 acre complex.

The development came after the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday issued non-bailable warrants (NBWs) against Rampal in a contempt case.

Court ordered the government to arrest Rampal by Friday.

Rampal along with 38 other accused was charged with murder and other offences that took place on July 12, 2006 after one person died and several others were injured following a violent clash between his followers and another group.

He along along with 38 others was being tried in a sessions court of Rohtak.

Rampal has reportedly skipped court 43 times in four years in the case.

Rampal was granted bail by the High court on April 2, 2008.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court again summoned him in person after his supporters allegedly attacked a group of lawyers during a hearing on the murder case last month.

The controversial guru has managed to avoid arrest despite three warrants since November 5.

Supporters of Rampal had said he is sick and would not be able to travel to the court.

But, HC rejected the plea, which took strict cognisance of the fact that Rampal's supporters attacked lawyers.