2 followers of self-styled Godman Rampal arrested in Hissar

HISSAR:Two followers of controversial self-styled Godman Rampal were arrested along with few others when they tried to hold a programme here for which the district administration had denied permission, police said.

The accused, Chhagan Bhai of Gujarat and Bharat Singh resident of village Dholagarh, near Palwal, said to be followers of the guru, wanted to organise a programme in old Government College ground here, but the district administration did not allow them to do so, police said.

A large number of followers of Rampal had gathered in Hissar to take part in the programme yesterday but the police dispersed them, they said.

However, when they could not hold the function, they then went to various places and distributed booklets that contained objectionable material, police said.

"It carried allegations against police, civil officers and leaders of Congress and BJP and described Rampal 'innocent'," a police spokesman said.

Cases under relevant sections of the IPC were registered against jailed Satlok Ashram head Rampal and his followers, police said.

They were later produced before a local court that sent them to one day remand.

The self-proclaimed Godman was arrested last year after he had failed to appear in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in a contempt of court case.