AMN
Special CBI court in Panchkula today convicted Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case. The CBI counsel HPS Verma said that quantum of sentence will be pronounced on Monday. The security at Panchkula has been strengthened further.
Self-declared guru Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been found guilty of raping two women followers in 2002. He has been arrested and will be sentenced on Monday. Ram Rahim arrived in a 200-car cavalcade this afternoon in the town of Panchkula where a court had ordered him present for its ruling. Major towns in Punjab and Haryana are in lockdown – Panchkula, Chandigarh which is just 11 kms away, and Sirsa, where his sect, the Dera Sacha Sauda, is headquartered at a massive campus. Followers wept, some fainted, as they waited for the verdict, which has created a huge security nightmare in multiple towns including Panchkula. Ram Rahim had said he is not guilty of the charges against him.
Ram Rahim, 50, is taken to a jail in Ambala, said lawyers at the Panchkula court. Panchkula is crowded huge followers of “Guru” who have congregated in the small town. The army is on standby at the request of Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has authorised security forces to use force if needed, to control upset supporters; it has also warned against the use of provocative language.
Yesterday, the High Court attacked the administration for failing to make adequate arrangements against the overwhelming presence of Ram Rahim devotees in Panchkula.
In a video message at midnight, Ram Rahim appealed to his followers to disperse and return home, and urged them to keep calm. His request did not deter his devotees in Panchkula who said they would remain in the town to show support for him. Many also said they wanted to glimpse him in person.
Several trains that travel through Punjab and Haryana have been cancelled. Government offices, schools and colleges are shut, and Panchkula is under curfew.
Three stadiums have been prepared as makeshift jails or holding places if crowds turn violent. Mobile internet services have been cancelled indefinitely in Haryana, though the city of Gurgaon, which hosts large offices of multinationals, is exempt.
Ram Rahim is also known as the “Guru of Bling” on account of his taste in clothes and ornate jewellery. He has starred in two movies, Messenger of God (MSG) and its sequel, MSG2..
He is also being investigated by the CBI separately for encouraging the castration of 400 men at his ashram, he allegedly told them it would bring them closer to God.
Heavy security force has been deployed in sensitive areas of Punjab and Haryana. However, meanwhile in a video message Dera chief asked the followers to return to their homes and maintain peace.
The prohibitory orders have been issued under section 144 to restrict the movement of Dera followers as well as to keep the situation in control if the verdict comes against Dera chief. Punjab government offices in Chandigarh and Haryana government offices in Panchkula will remain closed on Friday as notified by the government of both states. Schools, colleges and universities have also been closed in both states and Chandigarh.
The movement of Roadways Transport buses from Punjab to Haryana has been suspended. Haryana has also suspended movement of buses between Delhi and Chandigarh. However, Volvo buses from Chandigarh will continue to move.
The northern railway has also suspended movement of around 30 trains including Ambala-Nangal Dam, Bathinda- Ambala passenger, Bhiwani-Kalka Himalayan queen, Ambala-Kalka and Barner-Haridwar express.