Satlok Ashram Chief Rampal to Walk Free After Over a Decade in Jail

Satlok Ashram chief Rampal has received major relief from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which has granted him bail in a case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). With this decision, his release from prison after nearly 11 years and five months now appears imminent. The High Court had earlier granted him bail in two murder cases and had also acquitted him in a defamation case. Officials confirmed that the latest bail order will be submitted to the concerned trial court, where a bond will be furnished before the formal release order is issued. According to Hisar Central Jail-2 Superintendent Umesh Kumar, the procedural formalities may take around three to four days to complete, following which Rampal will be released from custody. Rampal, who has been serving a life sentence for murder and other charges, has spent 11 years, 4 months, and 20 days in Hisar Central Jail-2. Now approximately 78 years old, he is registered as inmate number 1005 and has been lodged in a special barrack. Jail authorities stated that he spends most of his time reading spiritual books in the prison library. He was arrested on November 19, 2014, from the Satlok Ashram located in Barwala, Hisar district, after failing to appear before the court in a contempt case despite orders. When police attempted to arrest him, clashes broke out between security forces and his supporters. The incident resulted in the deaths of five women and an 18-month-old child, leading to the registration of a sedition case against him.