(Image source from: The Indian Express)

A Hisar sessions court on Tuesday has sentenced a self-styled godman and 14 followers to life imprisonment in the deaths of four women and a child at his sprawling ashram.

The court ordered the penalty for Sant Rampal in Hisar city in Haryana state.

Rampal was arrested in 2014 following a days-long standoff between law enforcers and his supporters in which six people died and hundreds were battle-scarred.

Rampal and the 14 followers were defendants of confining the women and child captive inside the ashram, consequent in their deaths during the ferocious standoff.

Hindu religious leaders and holy men are extremely favored in India, with millions of followers. Masses frequently confer with religious leaders before making crucial personal decisions.

By Sowmya Sangam