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'Godman' lived a life of sleaze, ease

Mercs, BMWs, swimming pool, porn literature, condoms dotted the ashram
Last Updated 20 November 2014, 19:15 IST

The sprawling ashram of controversial self-styled godman Rampal in Hisar district of Haryana, now wears a deserted look. But the inside view of his mansion reflects an elegant lifestyle that Rampal led in complete contrast to what he propagated in the disguise of a saint.

He had a huge, impressive swimming pool at his disposal inside his ashram. The pool was open only to a select few and certainly not to his devotees. Rampal’s bathroom offered another glimpse. The bathroom adjoining his room is big enough to beat the size of a drawing room in a luxury apartment. He is chauffeured around in a fleet of luxury cars, including Mercedes and BMWs.

These revelations unfolded as the police searched every nook and corner of the so-called ‘ashram’ after it was cleared of Rampal’s followers, including his daughter who was arrested by the police on Thursday. If sources are to be believed, some pornographic literature and condoms in bathrooms too were found. There were CCTV cameras all over the place, astonishingly, even in some bathrooms, sources said.

The weaponry inside the ashram gave an impression that the sect was preparing for a war of sorts. So far, as many as 33 weapons, including twenty-three 12-bore shotguns and ten rifles and several home-made petrol bombs have been confiscated. There were several aerated drink bottles that were found filled with petrol and other inflammable material. 

Sources reveal a dazzling light system was played out whenever Rampal walked through aisles to ‘bless’ his followers. The ashram has a library and a medical centre as well. LED screens dot prominent places, including rooms in the five-storeyed ashram spanning 12-acres. His follower’s say Rampal often used to bathe in milk.

This milk was used to prepare ‘prasad’ for devotees and was broadcast as a cure for all ailments. A room next to his living area had an extra large locker. The police have not yet tried to open the safe to know what’s inside.

Till 1995, Rampal was a junior engineer in Haryana irrigation department. He was dismissed from the job and four years later started this ashram. The ashram where Rampal stayed with his private militia had specially made walls that are 2-feet thick. Now in the lockup, it will take a long time before Rampal enjoys this lifestyle once again.

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(Published 20 November 2014, 19:15 IST)

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