HISAR A Hisar court Aug. 29 acquitted self-styled godman Rampal in connection with two criminal cases registered against him, citing lack of evidence.

Hisar Judicial Magistrate Mukesh Kumar pronounced the verdict, acquitting Rampal, who heads the Satlok Ashram in Barwala, and his followers.

On Aug. 24, the judge deferred the hearing date to Aug. 29 after police cited tension in the wake of the Dera Sacha Sauda case.

"The court has acquitted Rampal in both the cases," said Rampal's counsel A.P. Singh while talking to reporters in Hisar Aug. 29.

A case was registered against Rampal and his followers Nov. 17, 2014, under sections 186, obstructing a public servant in discharge of public function; 332, voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from his duty; and 353, assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his duty, of the Indian Penal Code.

Another case was registered against Rampal, his followers Purshotam Dass, Raj Kumar, Mohinder Singh, Rajender Singh, Rahul and between 30 to 40 others Nov. 18, 2014 on a complaint from Sukhdev Singh of Ratia, Fatehabad, for rioting, unlawful assembly, disobedience to an order lawfully promulgated by a public servant and wrongfully confining a person.

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

The standoff turned violent, resulting in five deaths.

Rampal had further resisted arrest, which had been ordered by the Punjab and Haryana court. He refused to appear in the High Court to reply to charges, including contempt of court, and was holed up inside his ashram in Barwala, Hisar.

Rampal will remain in jail while he faces other charges, including sedition, the defense counsel said.

Originally posted here:

Ashram Leader and Self-styled Godman Rampal Acquitted in Two Criminal Cases - India West