Law and order state subject: D V Sadananda Gowda on 'godman' Rampal

NEW DELHI: As authorities in Haryana mount pressure on 'godman' Rampal to appear before the High Court, Law Minister D V Sadananda Gowda today refused to join issue, saying law and order is a state subject.

"Law and order is a state subject. A direction has been issued by the (Punjab and Haryana) High Court, that needs to be implemented by the state government. It is not appropriate for me to comment at this juncture," he said.

Haryana Police said Rampal is still inside the ashram and asserted that police will continue its operation till he is arrested for production before the High Court on Friday in a contempt case.

About 15,000 followers of Rampal were holed up in the ashram, out of which 10,000 have been evacuated.

Police registered fresh cases last night against Rampal, ashram spokesman Raj Kapoor, another key functionary Purshottam Dass and several other followers under various Sections of the IPC.