Chandigarh, 29 August(Wishav Warta): A day after the sentencing of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim one another self-styled godmen is ready to face the verdict today. Judgement proceedings likely to begin at 2.30pm. The verdict is to be announced by additional district sessions judge Mukesh Kumar.
In November 2014, Rampal Dass holed up inside his ashram in Haryana and tens of thousands of his followers armed with stones and clubs, fought off an army of police and paramilitary personnel from arresting him. After a week-long standoff and the death of six people, police nabbed Rampal on an arrest warrant issued for repeatedly ignoring the court summons. The episode triggered new cases against the so-called godman, including for murder, attempted murder, sedition, rioting and illegal detention. A Hisar court is likely to deliver the verdict in connection with the two cases against the self-styled godman, the head of Satlok Ashram in Barwala, and his followers on Tuesday.
A case was registered against Rampal and his followers three years back 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 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).
