Self-styled preacher Rampal returns to his ashram after nearly 12 years as court grants bail in 2014 violence case.
April 11, 2026: Self-styled preacher Rampal walked out of jail this week after nearly 12 years in custody, following bail granted by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The 75-year-old, who heads Satlok Ashram, returned to a massive welcome from followers, with videos of his arrival going viral. In his first discourse after release, he described his time in jail as a “long struggle” and claimed victory in his “fight against ignorance.”
Rampal’s arrest traces back to the dramatic 2014 siege at his ashram in Barwala, Hisar, when police attempted to detain him in connection with a 2006 murder case. His followers resisted, leading to violent clashes, during which six people, including women and an infant, died. He was later convicted in one of the cases and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2018. However, in 2025, the High Court suspended his sentence, citing his age, long incarceration, and contested medical evidence regarding the deaths.
Granting bail in the remaining 2014-related charges, the court noted the slow pace of trial and that many witnesses are yet to be examined. It also directed Rampal to avoid promoting any “mob mentality.” Born as Rampal Singh Jatain in Sonipat, he was once a government engineer before turning to spiritual leadership in the 1990s. His teachings, rooted in the Kabir Panth tradition, have attracted a large following, particularly among marginalised communities, even as his legal battles continue to shape his controversial public image.