Daijiworld Media Network - Chandigarh

Chandigarh, Apr 8: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday granted bail to Rampal, the head of the Satlok Ashram, who is serving a life sentence for his role in the 2014 violence at the Karontha Ashram in Barwala, Hisar. The 74-year-old spiritual leader has been in Central Jail, Hisar, located about 200 km from Chandigarh.

Central Jail Superintendent Umesh Kumar explained that the High Court’s bail order will first be sent to the relevant court, after which the bail bond will be filed, and then the order will reach the jail to facilitate Rampal’s release.

Rampal was arrested in connection with multiple cases, including a contempt of court matter linked to a 2006 murder and a sedition case arising from large-scale unrest in 2014. A Division Bench of Justices G.S. Gill and Ramesh Kumari accepted his regular bail petition, imposing certain conditions.

During the hearing, it was noted that statements from approximately 450 witnesses have already been recorded and the trial has made substantial progress, prompting the bench to grant bail in light of the lengthy judicial process. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court disposed of the petition and approved the release.

Last year, the High Court had suspended Rampal’s life sentence, which was initially handed down on October 11, 2018, by a Hisar court in a case involving the deaths of five of his disciples. He had been convicted of murder, wrongful confinement, and criminal conspiracy following the death of follower Raj Bala due to asphyxia.

Rampal and his aides had been booked by Haryana Police in November 2014 after defying High Court orders to appear in a contempt case. A 10-day operation involving state and central security forces culminated in his arrest on November 19, 2014.