The Punjab and Haryana High Court has suspended the life sentence of self-styled godman Rampal, who has been in jail for over a decade in connection with the 2014 Barwala ashram violence case.
A division bench comprising Justices Gurvinder Singh Gill and Deepinder Singh Nalwa granted the relief while hearing his appeal, observing that there were significant uncertainties surrounding the prosecution’s version of events.
The court highlighted that relatives of the victims had not supported the charges and that medical evidence failed to conclusively prove that the deaths were the result of homicide. Given the age of Rampal’ around 74 and the fact that he has already served more than ten years in custody, the bench held that his continued incarceration was not warranted until the appeal is finally decided.
While granting the suspension, the judges also cautioned Rampal against encouraging unrest or engaging in activities that could trigger mob gatherings. The order made it clear that he must avoid situations that may disturb public order.
The ruling comes a week after the High Court had stayed his sentence in another murder case linked to the same incident, offering the controversial preacher another reprieve as his appeals move forward.