Self-Styled 'Godman' Rampal Arrested, Whisked Away In Ambulance

He has also been booked for attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy, illegal detention, rioting and preventing government servants from performing duties, the DGP said.

"Police have shown a lot of restraint since yesterday (Tuesday) and have not fired a single shot," Haryana's Additional Chief Secretary (Home) P.K. Mahapatra told the media.

Supporters of Rampal Tuesday clashed with security forces to prevent them from entering the ashram premises. The area around the ashram resembled a battlefield as sect supporters resisted police action.

Sect followers fired at police, lobbed petrol bombs and acid pouches, besides hurling stones and bricks outside the ashram, clearly indicating that the sect was well prepared to resist the security forces.

The sect leader has been avoiding arrest and failed to appear before the Punjab and Haryana High Court although non-bailable warrants were issued against him Nov 5.

Rampal's supporters had indulged in vandalism in a court in Hisar in July when he was going there in connection with a 2006 murder conspiracy case. The high court took suo motu notice of the incident and summoned Rampal.

Khattar, who has otherwise avoided much comment on the Rampal issue, Wednesday tweeted: "Serious charges of sedition against Rampal & several followers by Haryana Police."

"Govt. & Police are committed to ensure strict compliance of High Court orders, priority is to uphold the law without loss of innocent lives," he wrote in another tweet.