From Rampal to Imam Bukhari: Know all religious leaders who challenged law of the land

Finally controversial 'godman' Rampal was arrested on Wednesday night from his Satlok ashram, ending an over two-week tense standoff between his supporters and the Haryana police. But before his arrest six people died and more than 100 got injured in the showdown.

Arrested Rampal has rejected charges that he had asked thousands of his followers to be kept "hostage" for past several days inside his ashram at Barwala to evade police action in a contempt of court case.

But point is why he had been playing hide and seek game with law till now. As a citizen of the country, he should abide by the law of the land.

Here is the list of religious gurus who evaded court proceedings and finally gave in after much furore.

Tale of Sant Rampal who has 100 crore worth assets

Rampal was arrested after he evaded court proceedings several times in the past (43 times in four years ). Recently only he failed to appear before the High Court on three dates - November 5, November 10 and November 17. Having no choice, court finally issued non-bailable warrant case against him.

Rampal who calls himself an incarnation of Kabir has assets worth crores.

This includes a sprawling 12-acre ashram, BMWs and Mercedes. He also has properties in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi. This 'fraudman' even has his own private army.

Not only that, now many of the followers are complaining that they were forced by his men to obey baba. A woman has even alleged that she was raped in the ashram. Reports also say that condoms, spy cameras have also been recovered from his place.

Asaram played with law in rape case in 2013

Like Rampal, Asaram also had evaded arrest for days. Asaram who has over 425 ashrams and more than 50 gurukuls, played hide and seek game with police before he was arrested from his Indore Ashram.

A 16-year-old girl had lodged a police complaint on Aug 20, 2013 accusing 72-year-old Asaram of sexually assaulting her at his ashram in Jodhpur. When police went to arrest him, he went underground in his ashrams at various locations.

Later, his supporters clashed with police just to avoid guru's arrest. After days of standoff, finally on August 31, the guru was arrested from his Indore ashram.

Chandraswami enjoyed legal immunity before he was arrested in 1996

Another name in this list is of Chandraswami, who is known as guru of many political stalwarts, including former Prime Minister Narshima Rao.

Swami who is a controversial tantrik has his ashram Vishwa Dharmayatan Sanathan in Delhi's Qutub Institutional Area. Because of his clout in political circle, he enjoyed legal immunity for years in financial irregularities case.

It was only when the Supreme Court intervened in 1996, he was arrested on charges of defrauding a London-based businessman of $100,000.

Swami Nityanand

On June 13, 2012, absconding controversial self-styled godman Nithyananda was arrested when he came to present himself before a court at Ramanagar, Bangalore, in connection with an assault case against him.

Controversial godman Nithyananda's whereabouts remained unknown since the case of assault and threat to life was registered on him. Nithyananda, already facing criminal charges including rape and out on bail after his arrest in 2010, courted fresh trouble when police on June 8 booked him and his followers for allegedly assaulting a mediaperson during a press conference at his ashram at Bidadi near here.

Syed Ahmed Bukhari

Bukhari who recently courted controversy by not inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to his son's anointment ceremony, also played with law in the past.

Reports say that he avoided court proceedings in several criminal cases against him in past. Fumed with his act, the court once declared him as an absconder.