The mammoth exercise involves a coordinated effort by security forces and various government departments. (PTI Photo)

The sanitisation of the sprawling Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters began near Haryana's Sirsa town following sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's conviction in a rape case. High amount of cash, laptops and plastic currency was seized from the Dera premises in the first few hours. Some endangered animals were also found.

Later, a luxurious black car without a number plate, an OB van, 1200 new notes, 7000 old notes were also recovered from the Dera headquarters.

The mammoth exercise involves a coordinated effort by security forces and various government departments.

The search was being conducted under the supervision of court commissioner AKS Pawar appointed by the Punjab and Haryana High Courts. Forty-one paramilitary companies, four Army columns, cops from as many districts, a SWAT team, and a dog squad have been deployed for the search of the Dera headquarters.

Security has also been deployed at Satnam Chowk, the main entrance to the sect headquarters.

District officials said that the "mystery" over the "dirty secrets" of the Dera and its now jailed chief, who has been sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment by a CBI special court on two counts of rape of his female disciples, could be revealed in the search operation.

HERE IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR

A huge amount of medicines without labels have been found. Pharmacy medicines without label/brand found, OB Van, Lexus car without number also found, Dy Director Satish Mehra was quoted as saying by ANI.

1200 new notes and 7000 old notes recovered.

A luxurious black car without a number plate and an OB van has been recoverd.

Mobile internet services have been suspended in Sirsa.

A search team reaches MSG fashion mart, Honeypreet's readymade garments factory.

Some endangered animals have been found in the Dera premises.

Excavation through JCB has been started.

A forest department team has been called in at Sirsa. The search team thinks there could be some endangered animals inside Dera.

Two rooms have been sealed.

Plastic currency has been seized from the headquarters. Huge amount of cash has also been recovered.

Found in markets near Dera Headquarters-

A forensic team from Roorkee has been called in.

Search operations continue in Baba Meditation hall and Nam Charcha Ghar, the printing press and the guest house.

Computers, laptops and other gadgets have been siezed from the location.

A search team reaches Gurmeet Ram Rahim's media monitoring room.

(With inputs from Satendar Chauhan and Ashutosh)

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