Spent Over 10 Yrs In Jail: P&H High Court Suspends Life Sentence Of Self-Styled Godman Rampal, Tells Him To Refrain From 'Mob Mentality'

After over 10 years of incarceration, the Punjab & Haryana High Court on Wednesday suspended the sentence of controversial preacher Rampal, in murder case of five disciples.It was alleged that Rampal was virtually trying to keep the women and others as hostage and confined them in a room, wherein condition of suffocation developed, which ultimately led to their death.Justice Gurvinder Singh Gill and Justice Deepinder Singh Nalwa, said,“while we find there are specific allegations against the applicant/appellant to the effect that he had kept the women & others captive, but there are certainly some debatable issues particularly regarding cause of death being homicidal or not.”The Court pointed that even the eye-witness, who are relatives of the deceased have not supported the case of the prosecution and had rather stated that conditions of suffocation were created due to tear gas shells.It noted that Rampal as on date is aged about 74 years and has undergone substantial period of sentence i.e.10 years, 08 months & 21 days. “We find it to be a fit case for suspending the sentence of the applicant/appellant during pendency of the main appeal” it added.The bench however directed him to “not to promote any kind of “mob mentality” and to avoid participating in congregations where there is any kind of tendency amongst “disciples” or participants to cause breach in peace, law and order.”Last week, the Court had suspended his sentence in another murder case of his disciple where he was sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for life without any remission.He is also under trial for an attempt to wage war against the government in 2014. Rampal had allegedly garnered a huge crowd of devotees in front of his ashram to resist his arrest in connection with a murder case and perpetrated large-scale violence with the police forces.Mr. Vinod Ghai, Senior Advocate, with M/s Arjun Sheoran, Arnav Ghai, Rohan Gupta, Pranhita Singh,Tejasvi Seeokand, Kashish Sahni & Chand Rathi, Advocates, for the applicant/appellant.Mr. Deepak Bhardwaj, Addl. AG, Haryana, andMs. Sheenu Sura, DAG, Haryana.Title: Rampal v. State of HaryanaClick here to read/download the order

Spent Over 10 Yrs In Jail: P&H High Court Suspends Life Sentence Of Self-Styled Godman Rampal, Tells Him To Refrain From 'Mob Mentality'

Aiman J. Chishti

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