Police enter Godman Rampal's ashram in Haryana, find him missing

Barwala: After violent clashes with Godman Rampal's supporters in Haryana on Tuesday, police finally entered the ashram, only to find the self-styled Godman missing. 

A portion of the outer wall of the ashram had been razed even as thick cloud of smoke billowed out from the premises, which is spread over an area of 12 acres. The followers, who were being evacuated, were taken in waiting police vans and other vehicles and sent to their destinations.

Many injured were taken to waiting ambulances, which had been stationed outside the ashram, which has 50-feet high walls on all sides. An injured journalist said that he along with his other colleagues was standing at the spot when suddenly the police who “chased” them surrounded them and used batons, leaving them injured.

Police said they were facing a hostile crowd, some of them armed, from inside, but they were using restraint to keep the causalities to the minimum.

The 63-year-old 'godman' was to appear before the High Court yesterday but he did not do so, with his counsel saying he was "unwell". The High Court then issued a fresh non-bailable warrant against him and asked the authorities to present him on Friday. Police enter Godman Rampal's ashram in Haryana, find him missing

However, the ashram spokesman had said, “Sant Rampal was not running away from law. We have already said that he will present himself before the court as soon as his health improves. But authorities can't use force to hunt him down".

He said the 'godman' was at present at an "undisclosed location" and was being "treated" for his "illness". Kapoor evaded a direct reply when asked why Rampal does not surrender before the Court. Rampal has cited health reasons for not appearing before the High Court earlier on three dates, November 5, November 10.