Self-styled Godaman Rampal walks free as court acquits him in two cases

His acquittal comes three days after the conviction of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh,another self-declared spiritual leader, by a CBI court for raping two women.

On November 17, 2014, a case was registered against Rampal and his followers under IPC sections 186 (Obstructing public servant in discharge of his public function), 332 (Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty) and 353 (Assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his duty).

Another case was registered against Rampal and his followers -- Purshotam Dass, Raj Kumar, Mohinder Singh, Rajender Singh, Rahul and 30-40 other persons -- on November 18, 2014 on a complaint of Sukhdev Singh of Ratia (Fatehabad)under IPC sections 147 (Rioting), 149 (Unlawful assembly, every other member of such assembly shall be guilty of the offence), 188 (disobedient to an order lawfully promulgated by a public servant) and 342 (Wrongfully confining any person).

Rampal, 67, was arrested in November, 2014 from his Satlok Ashram in Hisar as security forces had to fight almost for seven days with his armed followers  in connection with  case involving his followers, who opened fire at villagers in Rohtak, killing one person and injuring several others.

He was arrested on a warrant issued for repeatedly ignoring court summons- 43 times.

As six people-five women and a baby-allegedly used as human shield- were killed in the bloody resistance Rampal's followers put up,  new cases,  including for murder, attempted murder, sedition, rioting and illegal detention, were slapped on the self-proclaimed Godman.