Followers move out of Rampal's ashram in MP

With the arrest of controversial godman Rampal in Haryana on Wednesday, his under-construction ashram in Betul in Madhya Pradesh wore a deserted look as some of the followers left the place.

The ashram spread over 70 acres, located on state highway 69, nearly 10 km away from Betul, witnessed regular activities till recently with disciples attending his sermons through audio-video screens, a police official said.

But soon after the standoff between police and Rampal's supporters intensified, the ashram came under the scanner and subsequent searches were conducted on Wednesday in the nearby areas of the ashram, following which disciples started stepping out, he added.

After the self-styled godman's arrest amid high violence between police personnel and his supporters, some followers and their families living in the ashram left, he said.

Right now, police is gathering information on activities of Rampal’s ashrams across the country and this centre is no exception, police said.

Some houses and a broad approach road, two water treatment plants installed on water bodies have already come up in the ashram. Besides, a huge shed with a capacity to accommodate 50,000 people is almost ready, the official said.

The construction work at the ashram is going on for last three to four years.