Self-styled godman Rampal was on Thursday convicted in two cases of murder by a court in Hisar city, Haryana. A total of 29 persons, including four women, have been convicted in the two cases.
The cases pertain to the death of five women and an infant during the stand-off between the police and Rampal's supporters in November 2014.
Two FIRs — 429 and 430 — were registered in connection with the six deaths.
Hisar District Attorney Mahender Pal told journalists that the accused were convicted on charges of murder, wrongful confinement and criminal conspiracy. The court fixed October 16 and 17 for the pronouncement of the quantum of sentence in the two cases respectively. Three persons have been declared proclaimed offenders in the case.
All the accused, including Rampal, were present in the court. The verdict was pronounced by Additional District and Sessions judge D.R. Chalia.
Clashes broke out between the supporters of Satlok Ashram head Rampal and the police in Hisar's Barwala town when the police went to arrest him to produce him before the Punjab and Haryana High Court in connection with a murder case. The stand-off ended on November 19, 2014 with the arrest of Rampal and several of his supporters.
Security up in Hisar district
Security was stepped up in Hisar and adjoining towns in the run-up to the court verdict. Police were deployed at the abandoned Satlok Ashram.
District Magistrate Ashok Kumar Meena imposed Section 144 in Hisar on Wednesday prohibiting carrying of weapons and gathering of five or more persons. He said that no one would be allowed to take the law in their hands.
Duty Magistrates were appointed in Hisar and adjoining towns of Hansi and Barwala.
