Massive operation to locate and arrest controversial ‘godman’ Rampal, has cost the Centre and the State Governments of Punjab, Haryana and the UT Administration a whooping `26 crore.
The information was given to the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday by the reports submitted by the States of Haryana and Punjab besides the Chandigarh Administration and Government of India regarding the expenditure incurred in connection with the operation to arrest Rampal from his Satlok Ashram at Barwala in Hisar district for production in the High Court in the contempt case.
As per the reports, Haryana has spent the maximum of `15.43 crore on locating and arresting Rampal, while Punjab has spent `4.34 crore, Chandigarh Administration `3.29 crore and the Centre `3.55 crore — adding up to `26.61 crore.
The details were presented during the heariqng of the contempt case. Rampal, amidst tight security, was produced before a Division Bench of Justice M Jeyapaul and Justice Darshan Singh. The matter has been fixed for the next hearing on December 23 with the directions of once again producing Rampal along with co-accused Ram Pal Dhaka and OP Hooda.
Besides, the High Court has asked Haryana Additional Chief Secretary (Home) to submit a list of properties owned by Rampal and the Trust floated by him, his followers and disciples.
The bench has also sought a report on the involvement, if any, of “retired” police officers or ex-servicemen or “serving” officers from the police and related agencies in the resistance put up by his supporters during the police operation on his ashram.
Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) has also been asked to submit medical report of those injured, besides verifying the antecedents of 909 arrested in connection with the violence at Satlok Ashram for arresting Rampal.
63-year-old Rampal was arrested on November 19 after a two-week tense standoff between his supporters and the police after close to 15,000 of his followers were evacuated from the sprawling premises.
During the standoff between Rampal’s followers and the police, five women and a child had died, while more than 200 people were injured in the clashes. The HC had on November 5 cancelled the bail of Rampal in a 2006 murder case after he failed to appear in the Court.