HC issues non-bailable warrant against controversial self-styled 'godman' Rampal

Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday issued a fresh non-bailable warrant (NBW) for November 21 against controversial self-styled 'godman' Rampal after he failed to appear in a contempt case, with his counsel saying he was "unwell".

Hours after 63-year-old Rampal failed to appear before the court and sought more time, his supporters claimed that he has been taken from his ashram in Barwala in Hisar district to an undisclosed destination for "treatment".

In the high court, a two-judge bench, while issuing the NBW, also directed the governments of Haryana and Punjab, the Union government and the Chandigarh Administration to file a statement detailing the expenses incurred in making security arrangements for Rampal's court appearance.

The bench comprising Justices M Jeyapaul and Darshan Singh had earlier in the morning reserved its verdict after hearing the state government, amicus curiae and the defence counsel.

The court directed the Director General of Police and Home Secretary of Haryana to remain present in the court at the next hearing on November 21.

The court directed the two state governments, the Union Government and the Chandigarh Administration to file the statement of expenses on security arrangements at the next hearing on Friday.

Shortly after the HC had reserved its verdict in the morning, a spokesman of Satlok Ashram, Raj Kapoor, claimed that Rampal was whisked away by them from his ashram at Barwala to an undisclosed destination for "treatment".

Rampal has cited health reason and failed to appear in the High Court on three dates - November 5, November 10 and latest being today.

The District Administration in Hisar has, meanwhile, asked Rampal's followers, who have been sitting in and around the ashram, to disperse from the area.

Hisar District Magistrate ML Kaushik has issued an order asking all the followers, including women and children, to disperse immediately, an official spokesman said in Hisar.

The spokesman said the administration would press into service buses to transport the followers to the bus stand and the railway station for their onward journeys.

The followers have also been asked not to act as a hurdle in the judicial process against Rampal.