HC initiates criminal contempt proceedings against Sant Rampal

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana high court on Friday started criminal contempt case against controversial godman Sant Rampal of Karontha ashram for allegedly interfering in the judicial proceedings during the hearing of a case before the Hisar sessions court.
A division bench headed by Justice Rajive Bhalla also asked Rampal to appear before the court whenever asked by it.During the case hearing, the high court also made it clear that interference in the functioning of the judicial system would not be tolerated in future.
The court also asked him to not call his supporters during the court hearing. On July 15, supporters of Rampal had marched inside the district court complex in Hisar and tried to create trouble in the court proceedings. The controversial self-styled spiritual leader had come to the Hisar district court to appear before a Rohtak court through videoconferencing in a murder case against him.
Anguished over the alleged high-handedness of disciples of Sant Rampal during his appearance via videoconference at the court in Hisar, the district bar association (DBA) had also launched an indefinite strike demanding rejection of his bail. The bar association had also threatened statewide agitation.
Thereafter, the high court had taken cognizance of the mater and issued a notice to Rampal and Haryana government seeking their response.