Aug 26, 2017 1:29 am (IST)

Highlights of the day:

A special CBI court on Friday convicted Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh of raping two woman followers in a case filed on the basis of an anonymous written complaint in 2002. The Dera chief was taken into protective custody by the Army.

Thousands of Gurmeet Ram Rahim followers had started pouring into Panchkula and nearby areas, anticipating a verdict in the spiritual leader's favour.

However, violent supporters rampaged through the city after learning that self-styled godman had been convicted of rape charges.

The followers clashed with the security forces, set government vehicles afire, vandalised properties, and attacked media people and their OB Vans.

In a large-scale violence that ensued the Dera chief's conviction led to the death of at least 32 people and injuries to more than 250 people.

The violence spread through Panchkula, Sirsa and other parts of Haryana, compelling security forces to take stern action against the angry mob running amok.

Within hours, hundreds of vehicles were torched, media vans were overturned, and hospitals in Panchkula were deluged with people who sustained injuries during the violence.

The savagery soon reached the national capital. At least 4 coaches of a train were set afire allegedly by the Dera supporters at Anand Vihar railway station. Two DTC buses were set ablaze in Loni area of New Delhi, forcing the Delhi Transport Corporation to block DTC services to NCR region.

Haryana DGP BS Sandhu said more than 1,000 of the godman’s supporters had been detained in Panchkula on charges of arson and destruction of public property and said the situation was now coming under control.

In the wake of riots that broke out after Gurmeet Ram Rahim's conviction, Section 144 was imposed in 11 districts of Delhi, 10 districts in Punjab and parts of Uttar Pradesh, too.