Haryana High Court Suspends Life Sentence of Self-Styled Godman Rampal

Background of Rampal and Satlok Ashram Controversy

Rampal, head of the Satlok Ashram, has been in custody since November 2014 after being arrested in a criminal contempt case by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. His arrest followed large-scale violence during an operation to bring him before the court.

The 2014 incident led to six deaths and injuries to 110 police personnel and 70 civilians, sparking widespread controversy. Following this, five criminal cases were registered against him.

High Court’s Suspension of Sentence

On September 2, 2025, the Punjab and Haryana High Court suspended Rampal’s life sentence in a 2014 case involving the deaths of four women and one child at his ashram. This comes just days after another suspension on August 28, 2025, in a separate case concerning the death of one woman during the same operation.

The bench of Justice Gurvinder Singh Gill and Justice Deepinder Singh Nalwa noted that Rampal, now 74 years old, had already spent 10 years and eight months in jail.

The court observed:

“We find it to be a fit case for suspending the sentence of the applicant/appellant during the pendency of the main appeal.”

Court’s Conditions on Bail

While suspending the sentence, the High Court imposed several conditions:

  • Rampal must not promote mob mentality.

  • He must avoid participating in congregations that could lead to breach of peace or law and order.

  • If he violates bail conditions or incites unlawful activities, the state can seek cancellation of his bail.

Debate on Cause of Deaths

The High Court highlighted that there were debatable issues in the prosecution’s case, especially concerning whether the deaths were homicidal or due to suffocation.

Even eyewitnesses, who were relatives of the deceased, stated that suffocation resulted from tear gas shells used during the operation rather than direct acts by Rampal.

Pending Appeals and Previous Convictions

  • In October 2018, a Hisar court sentenced Rampal to life imprisonment in two separate cases concerning the deaths of his followers during the 2014 incident.

  • Rampal appealed both convictions in January 2019, and these appeals have remained pending since then.

  • He has already been acquitted in two FIRs, and now two of his life sentences have been suspended.

However, one final trial related to the 2014 violence is still pending before the Hisar court. Since he has not secured bail in that case, he will remain in jail despite recent reliefs from the High Court.

Legal Significance

The suspension of Rampal’s life sentence reflects the judiciary’s balancing act between:

  • The seriousness of allegations (illegal confinement, suffocation deaths, mob violence).

  • His age and long custody period (over 10 years).

  • Debatable evidence regarding cause of death.

It also brings into focus the slow pace of appeals in high-profile criminal cases, with Rampal’s 2019 appeals still undecided.

Conclusion

The Punjab and Haryana High Court’s suspension of Rampal’s life sentences marks a turning point in a decade-old legal saga. While the controversial godman continues to remain behind bars due to other pending cases, the decision underlines key questions on judicial delays, evidence reliability, and management of mass religious congregations.

The case will continue to unfold as the final trial in Hisar progresses and the High Court takes up pending appeals.


Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India

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