Punjab and Haryana High Court Suspends Life Sentence of Rampal in Disciples' Death Case

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has suspended the life sentence of Rampal, head of Satlok Ashram, in a case involving the deaths of five disciples. The court's decision raises significant questions about the evidence presented in the original trial.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has suspended the life sentence of Rampal, a self-proclaimed godman, seven years after his conviction. In 2018, Rampal and some followers were found guilty in two cases involving murder, wrongful confinement, and conspiracy. These charges stemmed from a standoff at Barwala police station in Hisar district on November 19, 2014, which resulted in five deaths.

A division bench of Justices Gurvinder Singh Gill and Deepinder Singh Nalwa made this decision after Rampal filed a petition seeking suspension of his life sentence. The court noted that while there are specific allegations against Rampal for holding people captive, there are debatable issues about whether the deaths were homicidal. The court observed that even eyewitnesses, who are relatives of the deceased, did not support the prosecution's case.

High Court's Observations on Eyewitness Accounts

The court highlighted that eyewitnesses attributed the deaths to suffocation caused by tear gas shells rather than direct actions by Rampal. The order dated September 2, uploaded on Thursday, mentioned these observations. The court also considered Rampal's age of 74 and his time served—10 years, 8 months, and 21 days—as factors for suspending his sentence during the appeal process.

Rampal's counsel argued that the deaths resulted from suffocating conditions due to tear gas shells lobbed by police at the ashram. This allegedly led to a stampede where several people fell, resulting in five fatalities. The counsel claimed Rampal was falsely implicated and that medical evidence suggested natural causes for the deaths.

Arguments Presented by Both Sides

The state counsel contended that Rampal tried to keep women and others hostage in a room where suffocation occurred, leading to their deaths. They argued that this confinement was deliberate. Meanwhile, Rampal's counsel pointed out that all 13 co-accused had already been granted bail, suggesting he deserved similar treatment based on parity.

In 2014, Rampal was arrested following a standoff between his supporters and police after about 15,000 followers were evacuated from Satlok Ashram in Barwala. During this incident, Rampal allegedly barricaded himself inside with armed followers clashing with law enforcement personnel. After his sentencing, he appealed for suspension of his sentence and challenged his conviction.

Court's Conditions for Bail Suspension

The court directed Rampal not to incite mob mentality or participate in gatherings that could disrupt peace or law and order. If he violates bail conditions or encourages others to commit offences, the state can seek cancellation of his bail. This decision reflects the court's cautious approach while granting him temporary relief.

Rampal's legal team emphasised that no evidence linked him directly to the deaths. They argued that given his age and time served, he should be granted bail like his co-accused. The court's decision to suspend his sentence considers these arguments while ensuring public safety through strict bail conditions.

With inputs from PTI