SIT continues search in Rampal's ashram, conducts verification on people with criminal record

Hisar: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Haryana police on Wednesday continued its ongoing search of the Satlok Ashram in Barwala town in this district even as “verification” of people involved in the crime is being carried out.

Hisar range IG Anil Rao said that “verification of people taken into custody from the Ashram is being conducted. So far 5 to 6 persons have been found with criminal record”.

He did not rule out the possibility of taking controversial self-styled godman Rampal to Betul in Madhya Pardesh in connection with the on-going investigations in the case.

The SIT had earlier recovered documents regarding ashram land at Barwala and in Betul, Madhya Pardesh.

During the search so far, the SIT had recovered arms, ammunition, bullet proof jackets, some cash and other articles from the 12-acre ashram, from where the Rampal was arrested on 19 November.

Rampal was produced before the Punjab and Haryana High Court a day after his arrest in a contempt of court case and later remanded in police custody for five days by a court in Hisar after fresh cases were slapped on him. The police remand of the “godman” was further extended by the Hisar court by six days yesterday.

So far, more than 900 followers of Rampal have been arrested on various charges.

During the standoff between Rampal’s followers and the police, five women and an infant had died, while more than 200 people were injured in the clashes on Tuesday.

PTI