List of cases against Haryana 'godman' Rampal

NEW DELHI: Thousands of supporters of controversial sect leader Rampal staged a protest here and demanded a CBI probe into allegations of his involvement in a murder conspiracy. Born to a family of farmers in Sonepat district, Rampal claims to be an incarnation of the 15th century mystic poet Kabir. Following are the cases against Haryana godman Rampal.

Murder

The Rohtak district administration had sealed Satlok Ashram at Karontha village after clashes between Rampal disciples and Arya Samaj followers in July 2006 in which a youth was killed and 59 injured. Later, police booked Rampal and several of his disciples under Section 302 (murder) and arrested him. Rampal got bail after spending 22 months in jail and shifted his base to Barwala town in Hisar district.

Forgery

Another FIR was registered against Rampal and his followers for forgery when a complaint was filed against him a day after the clash with Arya Samajis in 2006. It was alleged that Satlok Ashram at Karontha village was built on a piece of land obtained through forgery. According to a Haryana police report submitted before the sessions court in Rohtak, the land "donated" to build the ashram was "gifted" by a woman, Krishna, who impersonated the real owner Kamla in 1999. Three acres out of the over 16 acre land of the ashram belonged to four members of Kamla's family, including her brother Rajender Singh. Kamla's share was less than one acre. On its part, the ashram ridiculed all these charges in its website.

Assault
An FIR was registered against seven supporters of Rampal, including a woman, on May 5, 2013. Anil Kumar, a resident of Atawala village in Panipat district, complained to the police that the preacher's followers thrashed him at the Ashram. "They wanted me to give in writing that I am a spy of AryaSamaj. They also prepared my video recording forcing me to give statements against AryaSamaj leader," Anil said in the FIR.

Criminal intimidation

Another FIR was registered on May 9, 2013 against the followers of Rampal for issuing threats to Arya Samajis. According to the complaint filed by secretary of Haryana Gaushala Sangh Achayra Sarv Mitar, the followers of Rampal telephoned the office-bearers of Arya Samaj and threatened them.

Arya Samaj activist's murder

Three people, including a woman, were killed and around 100 injured in police firing on activists of Arya Samaj who were protesting against handing over the possession of an ashram to Rampal in Karontha village on May 12, 2013. A day after this, a murder case was registered against Rampal for allegedly killing an Arya Samaj activist Promila Devi. According to the FIR, Promila was hit by a bullet fired from the ashram when she was returning home from the farm fields. He brother Satnarayan alleged that she was shot on the instructions of Rampal.

Ashram suspects Arya Samaj hand

Satlok Ashram spokesperson Raj Kapoor alleged that Arya Samajis were behind all complaints lodged against Rampal and his followers. "We don't know how many complaints have been filed against Rampal and his followers but there is no truth in it," he said.