At the age of 48, in May 2000, he was reportedly removed from the department for carelessness. By then, however, his life had already begun to change direction.
A seer, Swami Ramdevanand, had taken him under his wing 18 years before.In 1999, Rampal established the Satlok Ashram in Rohtak district's Karontha village.
Very soon, the ashram gained popularity and Rampal Dass began to court the title of ‘Sant'. He subsequently set up several ashrams across the state, including the one at Barwala, presenting himself as an incarnation of the 15th century mystic poet Kabir. His band of followers hit new heights.
An FIR was lodged against Rampal after the clash with the followers of Swami Dayanand Saraswati against whom Rampal had made derogatory comments.
