Police begin questioning of godman Rampal

New Delhi: Police on Friday started questioning self-styled godman Sant Rampal after he was arrested at his ashram with more than 400 followers following a 10-day deadly standoff.

Rampal was sent to a five-day police custody on Thursday.

Police have filed criminal charges against him and his supporters over the stand-off that left six people dead and about 200 others injured.

Rampal and 38 others have been charged with murder and other offences after a clash between his supporters and another group killed one person in July 2006. He was freed on bail, which was cancelled after his followers entered a courtroom and threatened lawyers in July.

Since 2010, Rampal, a former engineer, has ignored 43 court summonses, seeking exemptions each time. The court set a final deadline for him to appear in court on Monday, which he ignored.