The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday extended the deadline for production of self-styled godman Sant Rampal before it till Friday after the spiritual leader remained holed up in his fortified ashram at Barwala in Hisar district of Haryana and did not appear before the court for the second successive time on non bailable warrants issued against him in a contempt case.
With the god man remaining elusive, th Haryana Home Secretary and Director General of Police appeared before a Bench of the High Court, headed by M. Jeyapaul, in compliance with its directions of November 10 in which it had categorically demanded their presence should the Haryana Police fail to bring Rampal before it on Monday.
Appearing for the State, Advocate General of Haryana Hawa Singh Hooda submitted before the court that the Haryana Government needed more time to arrest Rampal before the court as he remained inside the ashram which was surrounded by belligerent followers from all sides. He said a large number of followers were also present inside the ashram and therefore attempts to forcibly arrest Rampal could result in violence and even deaths. He therefore demanded more time to produce Rampal before the court.
On behalf of the DGP Haryana a submission was also made about how two persons had been arrested from near the ashram after they were found carrying unauthorised weapons.
The High Court then allowed the Government and the police time till Friday, November 21 to produce Rampal.
With Rampal’s advocate excusing himself from the case after he failed to appear, he was on Monday represented by S.K. Nirwana, who claimed that the godman was no well and was unable to walk on his own.
Amicus curiae in the case Anupam Gupta pleaded that the State Government was in contempt of the court as it had again failed to execute the NBW issued against the godman on November 5 by the court. He said the State’s conduct would only lead to lawlessness, disorder and anarchy.
Mr Gupta further claimed that the State's affidavit had also withheld a seminal point that while there was a stand-off between the followers of Rampal and the Haryana Police, which was assisted by central forces, at the Ashram, somehow a large part of the force was suddenly withdrawn around 7-30 p.m. on Sunday. “This is complete abdication of authority by the State,” he charged, demanding to know why the police did not move into the Ashram to bring out the godman.
The amicus curiae or friend of the court said since both the civic and police administration report to Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who also holds the Home portfolio, should the State again fail to produce him by Friday then contempt notice under Section 12 should also be issued to him.
In a separate order on cancellation of his bail in a murder case of 2006, the High Court said the hearing and arguments in this matter will be taken up on Tuesday, November 18.
Ashram inmates asked to vacate
Meanwhile, in another development later in the day, the Haryana Government on Monday asked all the followers and devotees of Baba Rampal to vacate the Satlok Ashram as soon as possible as the Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued non-bailable warrant against Baba Rampal. It also used a helicopter to drop pamphlets, bearing this message, in the ashram.
A statement by the Government said Deputy Commissioner, Hisar, M.L. Kaushik has issued a notice stating that the High Court has ordered police to arrest Baba Rampal and produce him in the court at the earliest.
The followers of Baba Rampal have thus been warned not to create any obstruction in the implementation of law.
The administration has also noted that the followers, who would peacefully come out of the Ashram, would be provided the facility to reach railway station and bus stand. “If the followers face any problem or anybody stops them then they could contact Police Station Barwala at 01693-242031 or on mobile number of Station House Officer of Police Station on his mobile number 88140-11312,” it said.
The Haryana Police has also sought some drones from the Centre to increase surveillance of activities in and around the Satlok Ashram.
