Satlok Ashram head Sant Rampal (File Photo)
Security has been tightened and rail services to Hisar from different parts of the country have been stopped in view of a crucial verdict in Sant Rampal Satlok Ashram case scheduled to be pronounced on Thursday.
In order to maintain law and order situation, operation of trains from different parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana to Hisar has been stopped.
A heavy deployment of police force has been made by the local administration as thousands of followers of Sant Rampal are expected to reach Hisar in Haryana. At least 1300 police jawans from the state and 700 others from the neighbouring states have been summoned to Hisar.
Para-military forces and Rapid Action Force (RAF) jawans have also been kept on standby.
What is the case
On November 17, 2014, a case was registered against self-styled godman Rampal, the head of Satlok Ashram, and his followers 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 - on November 18, 2014 on a complaint of Sukhdev Singh of Ratia (Fatehabad) 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).
Rampal was arrested after tense standoff between some of his supporters and the police when close to 15,000 of his followers were evacuated from the sprawling premises in 2014.
(With inputs from agencies)
