More firearms, bombs recovered from Rampal's ashram

November 24, 2014 08:34 pm | Updated November 16, 2021 04:43 pm IST - CHANDIGARH:

The recovery of firearms, petrol bombs and other lethal equipment, similar to the items used against the Haryana Police and Central Reserve Police Force personnel, by supporters of self-styled godman Rampal on November 18, continued for the fifth consecutive day from his Satlok Ashram in Hisar.

During the search at the 12-acre ashram on Monday, the Special Investigation Team comprising a Duty Magistrate and officers drawn from the Haryana Police recovered among other things a 7.62 mm pistol and three empty magazines; and a revolver of 32 bore with 13 live cartridges.

Inspector General of Police, Hisar Range, Anil Kumar Rao said apart from these firearms and ammunition, the police also recovered 54 mobile phones, five petrol bombs, three syringes used to throw acid, 4920 lathis or sticks, 52 helmets, 150 black dresses for the ashram security personnel who were referred to as “commandoes” and a number of catapults with about 1,000 glass balls.

The search at the ashram is nearing its completion now as the SIT has more or less covered the entire area now.

So far over 30 firearms apart from nearly 10,000 lathis and a large number of acid and petrol bombs have been recovered from the premises.

The five-day police remand of Rampal, who has been lodged at the Civil Lines police station would also come to an end on Tuesday. He is being interrogated about his finances, investments and sources of funds. Though the police have not been able to make substantial recoveries of cash from the premises, despite a number of vaults being found there, they are confident of unravelling his financial links.

Close associates of Rampal, who are also in police custody, are also being questioned with regard to where he parked his money. The police have learnt that Rampal was also planning purchase of two more big plots in Hisar for constructing even bigger ashrams.

Rampal, who was nabbed by the Haryana Police on November 19, is also on a seven day judicial remand and would have to be produced before the High Court on November 28 when the court would also be apprised of the recoveries made from the ashram by SIT.

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