Haryana DGP SN Vashist inspecting a bullet-proof jacket recovered from Rampal's ashram in Hisar. (Press Trust of India File photo)
More arms and ammunition - this time tucked inside an almirah - were found today during the ongoing search at arrested guru Rampal's ashram. The almirah stood next to the spot where Rampal used to sit and address his followers.
The cache included a 7.62 mm pistol, three empty magazine, .32 bore revolver and 13 live cartridges.
Besides, the police also recovered five "petrol bombs", five buckets of inflammable material, over 5,000 'lathis', 52 helmets, acid bottles, 150 black commando dresses and 50 mobile phones.
Rampal's Satlok Ashram is proving a veritable armoury. Earlier, apart from the usual guns and ammunition, a bullet-proof vehicle, bullet-proof jackets, petrol bombs and acid syringes, chilli bombs and pregnancy strips were found from the highly fortified complex, which was under constant surveillance of CCTV cameras.
The cameras had been installed at key points to keep tabs on the movements of his followers, police said. Rampal, 63, who was arrested after a pitched battle between his supporters and the police, had claimed that he had been kept a prisoner by his followers inside the ashram.
Rampal was taken back to the ashram premises yesterday, where he is being questioned about the recoveries.
Senior police officer AK Rao had said Rampal was asked whether he and his followers - who call themselves 'Baba's commandos' - were preparing for an offensive against the police. "It could be that or it could also be the fact that they were apprehensive about some threat (police action)," Mr Rao said.
During the police action at the ashram last week, Rampal's followers had used acid pouches and petrol bombs, and sticks and stones on the police. So far, around 900 of his followers have been arrested.
Before being arrested, Rampal had ensured that most rooms and areas of his luxury home were sealed with plywood and had locks on the doors. The 12-acre ashram also had a swimming pool, library and infirmary, lecture halls with LED screens, and a fleet of luxury cars.