Maverick self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was on Friday convicted of rape by a court in Panchkula, triggering widespread violence in Haryana

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With the arrival of Dera followers, including women, in Chandigarh's neighbouring city Panchkula, the Union Territory has been declared "sensitive".

Two states, Haryana and Punjab have been put on high alert and prohibitory orders are imposed, due to the hearing of a rape case on self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. The authorities have not ruled out taking Army's help to maintain law and order as lakhs of Ram Rahim's supporters have thronged Panchkula to show solidarity to their guru.

"I have always respected the law. Despite pain in my back, I will obey the law and must visit the court," Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh tweeted. The court has asked the sect chief to appear in the court in person, in a case relating to sexual harassment which has been going on since 2007.

Dera chief announces he will appear on court

The sect management has been refuting all charges against Singh.

The allegations against the self-styled godman surfaced in 2006 as anonymous letters were circulated about the alleged sexual exploitation of two former female follower. The victim accused the Dera chief of raping her more than once inside the sprawling Dera campus, on the outskirts of Sirsa town in Haryana, 260 km from Chandigarh, leading to a CBI investigation.

What is the case against Ram Rahim Singh?

The clout of the godman is such that despite murder, conspiracy and rape charges against him, he enjoys Z-category security from the Haryana Police and moves around in a fleet of bullet-proof luxury SUVs.

He enjoys considerable influence in Punjab and Haryana amid lakhs of supporters who call themselves 'premis'. Over the years, Ram Rahim has built an image of a social reformer and a 'messemger of peace' by doling out funds for various cleanliness drives and blood donation camps, Hindustan Times reported.

'Saint Dr Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insaan', aka 'Messenger of God,' is a self-styled godman, who took over as the chief of a spiritual sect called Dera Sacha Sauda in 1990.

As Dera supporters threaten of repercussions, Ram Rahim appeals to followers to maintain calm

Anticipating the worst, an indictment of the Dera chief, both sides — the police and the devotees — are preparing for a confrontation. The devotees say an adverse verdict is "out of question". Women devotees of the charismatic leader are a raucous lot, brandishing lathis and warning that "somebody will pay" if the chief is indicted.

The flamboyant Dera Sacha Sauda chief's followers, who are no different than Rampal's army, are getting ready for a showdown with the security forces of Punjab and Haryana.

Someone will pay if our guru is indicted: Dera supporters

In order to rule in rumour mongers ahead of the Dera Sacha Sauda chief's verdict, Punjab and Haryana administration has suspended mobile internet services. Government bus service has also been temporarily suspended to rein in the number of people pouring in Panchkula.

Firstpost author Ajay Singh recalls a previous interview with Dera Sacha Sauda . " Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s sartorial style, his antics, his expensive cars, motorcycles and his idiosyncrasies in movies and music can hardly be called impressive. Yet he has an impressive following of underdogs and a section of elites as well."

‘High court peshi jatt di, seal ho gaya Chandigarh saara (All of Chandigarh had to be sealed as Jatt was to appear in court), a video parodying the self-styled godman is circulating on Whatsapp, according to Hindustan Times

Security personnel have cordoned off approaches to the CBI special court in Panchkula as a precaution.

"Hospitals have also been put on alert for the next three days. The Haryana health department has reserved 100 beds and have also deputed additional at the Panchkula civil hospital. Apart from this, 30 ambulances have also been stationed in Panchkula," The Indian Express reported.

Security forces use drones for surveillance os over 2.5 lakh Dera followers gather in Panchkula

India Today TV reported that the national Highway 9 has been barricaded by the police since Thursday afternoon and no more vehiles are being allowed to enter Sirsa, the seat of the Dera Sacha Sauda cult. The police has also deployed an ambulance near the highway as a precautionary measure.

Sirsa cordoned off: Police barricades NH-9 in Sirsa to curtail flow of mob; only emergency cars allowed

In pictures: Dera followers out on streets in Sirsa; security tightened

Haryana Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has suspended all government buses on 150 bus routes to neighbouring states from today midnight till tomorrow, ANI reported.

As many as 150 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed in the two states to assist the police forces in maintaining law and order, he said.

More than 15,000 paramilitary personnel have been deployed in Punjab and Haryana ahead tomorrow's verdict by a Panchkula court verdict in a sexual exploitation case against Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, a Union home Mministry official said today.

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan is no strager to controversies. The flamboyant godman dressed in flashy, taut clothes has kicked up severl storms as his following swelled by the thousands. From rape charges to murder conspiracy to forced castration of followers, the so called spiritual guru has been in news for all the wrong reasons.

"Anticipating trouble, Haryana Government has declared the Chaudhary Tau Devi Lal Stadium Complex, Sector-3, Panchkula in district Panchkula and Dalbir Singh Indoor Stadium, Sirsa in district Sirsa as ‘Speical Jails’ with immediate effect, till further orders. A notification to this effect was issued by Haryana Additional Chief Secretary, Jails Department, Mr Ram Niwas," News 18 reported.

Punjab govt blames Centre for unpreparedness, says BJP govt didn't send enough force: Times Now

Over one lakh dera supporters have so far arrived at the sect headquarters at Sirsa, about 260 km from Chandigarh. The police has shut off the roads leading to the city since afternoon and no more vehicles are being allowed to enter Sirsa. There is some relaxation for emergency vehicles. In Panchkula, news reports say that over 1.5 lakh people, including women have gathered and they are taking shelter on roadsides and public parks.

A court in Haryana on Thursday deferred its verdict on two criminal cases slapped against self-styled godman Rampal till 29 August, in view of the verdict in a rape case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on Friday.

Though the court asked followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda chief to leave, they have said they will continue being there.

With the Haryana police urging the court to defer its verdict in the rape trial against self-styled godman Rampal in view of the upcoming verdict in a similar case involving Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Panchkula has deferred the case hearing until 29 August.

"Curfew will be clamped from 10 pm tonight till further orders in Sirsa city urban area and three villages — Nazia Khera, Shahpur Begu and Bajekan," Sirsa Deputy Commissioner Prabhjot Singh told PTI on Thursday.

Indefinite curfew was imposed in Sirsa town and three nearby villages on Thursday as a "precautionary measure" to maintain law and order ahead of Friday's court verdict in Panchkula involving Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters are situated in Sirsa, about 260 kms from Chandigarh.

Sirsa Deputy Commissioner Prabhjot Singh said the step has been taken as a "precautionary measure" to ensure that law and order is maintained.

"I came to Dera three days ago with my husband to support guru ji. We will not sleep tonight as with the guru's blessing, my family has progressed," said Surmeet Kaur, a resident of Haryana's Hisar district.

According to a report in PTI, outside the gates of the sprawling complex, just on the outskirts of the city, a battalion of women stands, wooden sticks in hand. They are among the many followers of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh who have gathered there to voice their support for the leader of the sect.

Like a stream, thousands of men and women -- children in tow -- have been flowing into the Haryana city, the headquarters of the Dera Sacha Sauda, whose chief is expected to face a verdict on a rape case on Friday.

Sleepless in Sirsa: Followers keep vigil as district on high alert

Dera followers, who are called "premis", are gathered in Panchkula, at the headquarters of the sect in Sirsa, and at its deras in Punjab and Haryana.

Dera has a massive base of followers in both the states and most of them are Dalits. The Dera draws its support from Dalit Sikhs who feel discriminated against by upper-caste Sikhs.

Both, Punjab and Haryana, where a large number of Dera followers reside, fear violence if the court verdict on Friday goes against the organisation's chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

Why are Punjab and Haryana put on high alert

However, mobile internet services have been suspended in Haryana and Punjab.

"The Dera premis (followers) who have gone to Panchkula should return to their homes," Ram Rahim said in the video message. "I have to listen to the verdict. I will myself go and listen to the verdict. All of us should respect the law and maintain peace."

A Northern Railway official told IANS: "At least 201 trains heading to Haryana on Friday have been cancelled in view of the law and order situation in the state." These included 92 express and 109 passenger trains. — IANS

The railways cancelled over 200 Haryana-bound trains as security concerns mounted ahead of the CBI court's verdict.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday pulled up Haryana government over lax in security leading up to the verdict of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's rape case. Today, the petition for the same will be heard in court.

As Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's convoy crossed, several followers tried to stop it, failing to do which they even fainted, reports have said.

In photos: Dera followers try to stop Ram Rahim's convoy, faint in the process

According to this report in India Today, supporters of Gurmeet Ram Rahim argued with the police when the former were removed from the highway near Ambala

As chaos and frenzy rules in Punjab and Haryana, Dera followers are out of control. One such follower said, "someone please kill me," according to News18.

Dera follower says, "someone please kill me"

Some of the cancelled trains were Jaipur-Chandigarh Intercity Express, Barmer-Kalka Express, Barmer Haridwar Link Express, Firozpur-Chandigarh Express, Kalka Himalyan Queen.

Here are some of the cancelled trains

Combining entrepreneurial skills with his job as the spiritual head of the sect, he launched his 'MSG' range of "swadeshi and organic" products about two years ago. — PTI

The story also goes that he loved butter and ghee and took part in several sport activities.

The Dera chief, who completed his high school, is married to Harjeet Kaur. They have two daughters, Charanpreet and Amanpreet, both of whom are married, and a son Jasmeet. He also adopted a girl.

Sixteen years later, in 1990, Satnam Singh invited his disciples from all over the country for a grand satsang where 23-year-old Gurmeet Ram Rahim was chosen as his successor.

Gurmeet, it is said, was always spiritual. When he was seven, he was picked out by Shah Satnam Singh, then head of the Dera Sacha Sauda in Sirsa, who anointed him Ram Rahim.

He was born in Sri Gurusar Modia village in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar district on 15 August, 1967, to a landlord father. An only child, Gurmeet helped his father in the farm in his early years.

For his followers, their leader is all this and more. The bejewelled head of the Sirsa headquartered sect, who turned 50 this Independence Day, holds sway over millions in Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan.

Gurmeet Ram Rahim, head of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect who has two state governments on the edge as he awaits a verdict on a rape case, is not the regular godman in saffron but a curious amalgam of reel and real defying easy description.

He glides through the air dressed in pink robes in his promotional videos and in real life is known to ride powerful, souped up bikes to congregations, the persona as flashy as the vehicle itself.

The court has also warned against the use of provocative language by religious leaders. News18 also reported that the court lauded the role of the media in reporting about the situation in Haryana, adding that the court got to know much about the situation through the media reports.

According to news reports, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has told the Haryana government that force can be used against the protesters if and when required.

Use force against protesters when required: Punjab and Haryana High Court tells Haryana govt

Sarabjeet Insan, 26-year-old LLM student from Mohali says he'll stand by Gurmeet Ram Rahim till hell freezes over. "I am here (Sirsa) for the last 10 days. I'll stay on till as long as long our 'Pitaji' doesn't get justice. I respect the court but will not tolerate disrespect to Pitaji," she said, swinging her lathi menacingly in the air.

'Jo hum say takrayega, wo chur chur ho jayega' and 'Ek duki chak deyangay, load payi to chak devangay' (Those who fight with us will be crushed into pieces/ Those who dare to come in our way will be eliminated) are just two of the slogans that are heard all over.

'Those who fight us will be crushed'

"The victim has been very disturbed in the last few days. We feel that a trial is not practical in an atmosphere like this (if Ram Rahim is acquitted). We may appeal for this case to be shifted to some other state," lawyer of the victim in the rape case against Ram Rahim told CNN-News18.

Victim has been very disturbed in the last few days: Lawyer

News18 reported that to ensure a safe atmosphere and to make sure that Ram Rahim was shifted to a safe and secure location after the verdict, the judgment may not be disclosed for an hour after the actual verdict is pronounced.

Verdict may not be disclosed for an hour after judgment

These visuals speak a lot about the situation in Haryana, in which a convoy of over 100 cars was moving around at a time when Section 144 has been imposed at a very tense time.

In case you were wondering what a convoy of over 100 cars looks like...

"We are prepared for any possible situation arising out of the verdict," Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said.

Judgment being read out with Ram Rahim in attendance

'Jo hum say takrayega, wo chur chur ho jayega' and 'Ek duki chak deyangay, load payi to chak devangay' (Those who fight with us will be crushed into pieces/ Those who dare to come in our way will be eliminated) are just two of the slogans that are heard all over.

The youth brigade of Dera Sacha Sauda, the spiritual organisation, is out in force to protect the revered saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's "honour" at any cost. They do not want the special CBI court to pronounce that their 'Pitaji', as he is fondly referred to, is a rapist. They expect the court to give him a clean chit in the rape against him, the verdict on which is likely to be announced at 2.30 pm on Friday.

'Ram Rahim better get favourable verdict': Dera's youth brigade vows to stand by 'pitaji' till hell freezes over

This apparently is a normal practice in high profile cases as the court waits for all the legal and administrative formalities to be completed. The final verdict is revealed only at the last moment.

CNN-News 18 ground reporter said that unnamed sources have confirmed that the high court has decided to keep the verdict secret for the next 45 - 60 minutes.

However, diesel generators and inverters aren't really a rarety in Panchkula, and the information is likely to get out, one way or another.

After recieveing flak from the high court over the lack of preparations, the Haryana government has apparently decided to go on an overdrive. The administration has now reportedly decided to cut off power supply in Panchkula district, apparently to keep a check on rumour mongerers and ensure an information black out.

Dera supporters have already begun celebrating, even as the high court has kept the order reserved for another 45 minutes now. Apparently, rumours are doing rounds that the Dera chief has been aqcuitted. There is, however, no official confirmation on the verdict and this is merely a rumour doing rumours amid Ram Rahim's followers.

Stay tuned to our LIVE blog as we bring in lates updates

Even as their is no official confirmation yet, India Today and Times Now are reporting that the special CBI court has convicted the self-styled godman in the rape case. CNN-news 18 reported that the quantum of punishment to be announced on 28 August.

Dera supporters received false rumours that their guru has been acquitted. The crowds broke into loud cheers and celebrations began. However, it remains to be seen how the 2 to 3 lakh supporters will react once the news of Ram Rahim's conviction spreads out, as emotions run high.

Army takes Ram Rahim Singh into preventive custody, Dera chief to be lodged in Ambala Central prison

In Sirsa, media personnel reporting from Dera headquarters have been moved at least one km away from the Dera ashrams. Rioyt control vehicles and paramilitary has been parked around media cavalcades to protect the reporters in the area while curfew remains imposed in the area. The situation remains highly charged.

Media moved out of Dera headquarters as news of Ram Rahim's conviction spread

Dera supporters spread out in Sirsa to try and stop supporters from running amok

In unprecdented security beef up, power has been switched off across Haryana even as mobile data was already under suspension and police and paramilitary forces were deployed heavily.

All the supporters heading out from the Dera headquarters are reportedly carrying freshly made batons and bats. Three layers of security has been deployed outside the Dera headquarters. Tier one contitutes of paramilitary personnel, tier two is manned by Haryana police and tier three is the horse squad of the Haryana police.

As news of Ram rahim's conviction spread, violence broke out in Panchkula. Violent clashes are underway, less than a kilometre away from the Panchkula special court. Around five to six hundred supporters have tried to break the paramilitary barricading.

Three media OB vans have been completely turned oround and one OB van has even been set on fire. Several journalists have been caught between the clashes and reporters, including CNN-News18 crew has also been attacked.

The mob was reportedly allowed in the cordoned area after the dera supporters assured the administration that they want to observe the situation in a peaceful manner. All along, the Dera sect management has been reiterating that peace will not be interrupted. However, soon after the news broke out stone pelting started and media vans were torched.

Despite massive security deployment, 50,000 people were reportedly allowed to gather up around the court premises. Violent clashes broke out barely two kilometres away from the court premises.

Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh said curfew has been imposed in Firozpur, Bhatinda, Mansa and Malout. He said nothing untoward has happened and the step was taken as a matter of precaution.

Curfew was imposed in four towns of Punjab on Friday after violence broke out following the conviction of Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in a rape case by a CBI court in Panchkula.

Trouble in some parts of Punjab, situation under control: Times Now

This is a developing story and we will add more updates as and when confirmation and more news streams in.

CNN-News18 reported that two Railway stations in Punjab have been set on fire while NDTV said that curfew has been imposed in Bathinda. However, Capt Amarinder Singh, Punjab chief minister, has denied any incidents of violence, while speaking to News18.

Two Railway stations in Punjab have been set on fire - CNN-News18

In December 2014, Punjab & Haryana High Court ordered CBI investigation into castration of over 400 hermits in the Sacha Sauda ashram on the petition of one Hansraj Chauhan.

The investigative agency had filed the closure report citing lack of evidence. Singh was shot dead in July 2002 while Chhatrapati was alleged gunned by Dera supporters in October 2002. Both the murders were performed because Dera Sacha Sauda allegedly feared that the duo were behind an anonymous letter by the Sadhvi, which is the basis of the rape case in question.

In the case of murders of journalist Ram Chandra Chhatrapati, editor of Poora Sach, a local daily in Sirsa, and Ranjit Singh, a resident of Kurukshetra, ram rahim has been chargesheeted and is under trial. In the case of Faqir Chand, a former manager of the dera who has been missing for long, Ram Kumar Bishnoi, a petitioner, has challenged CBI's closure report.

The conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim in a rape case may be the beginning of his end as he is facing investigation, trials or court battles in four other cases.

Is Dera Chief's conviction the beginning of his end

"I appeal to all Punjabis to maintain peace and harmony in the state. We won't allow anyone to disturb the peace and tranquility of our state," Amarinder Singh said in a tweet.

Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh on Friday appealed to people of the state to maintain calm after a court held Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh guilty of rape and said the state government will not allow anyone to disturb peace.

Violence broke out in Panchkula leaving at least five persons dead and 50 others injured as situation worsened in some parts of Haryana and Punjab after Dera Sacha Sauda followers went berserk following CBI court Friday convicting sect chief in a rape case.

A video-journalist of a TV channel was injured when his crew was attacked by followers of Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, moments after a CBI court convicted him in a rape case on Friday.

Delhi was Friday put on high alert in the wake of incidents of violence in Haryana following the conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case, police said on Friday.

A Hindustan Times report, however, claimed that at least five people have lost their lives.

Chaotic visuals emerge from Panchkula as media reprots say that three Dera supporters have been killed in the clashes police.

An alert was sounded in Uttar Pradesh on Friday in the aftermath of a CBI court convicting Dera Sacha Sauda sect head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case and subsequent incidents of violence reported from Haryana.

Security beefed up in Western Uttar Pradesh, Jammu, Rajasthan, Delhi as violence spill out in Haryana, Punjab

Panchkula hospitals swamped with injured as more than 150 injured; situation escalates quickly

Death toll shoots up to 11; more than 150 injured

Watch latest visuals of mob rampage in Haryana as 60,000 strong security force deployment fails to curb violence

Fire engine torched; more than 200 people injured in Panchkula alone

Army was kept on standby and unprecedented force deployment was in place. Police administration repeatedly told the media that each ingoing and outgoing vehicle, all dera supporters were being frisked to ensure no one is armed. Yet, today's violence tells a different tale. The scale at which, government offices, vehicles and emergency service vehicles are being attacked and torched, it is safe to assume that the mob assembled included elements that were armed with a predetermined intent to trigger violence.

Despite heavy force deployment and Centre’s support, the administration for whatever reason allowed lakhs of Dera supporters to gather up in sensitive spots, like Dera's seat Sirsa and Panchkula, where the hearing was to take place. The fact that more than 50,000 people were allowed within 2 km of the Panchkula special court on the day of the hearing is yet to be explained by the Haryana administration.

As Dera followers run amok, causing damage to life and property across haryana, the Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and administration has some tough questions to answer.

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh shifted to undisclosed location as Dera supporters bring down law and order in Haryana: India Today

This is the second time that violent mobs have brought down Haryana administration on its knees. The Jat agitation of 2016 is yet to fade away from people's memory. Today's violence bears strong resemblance to the massive agitation.

As violence spirals out of control, Home Minister Raj Nath Singh stepped in. Singh spoke to Punjab and Haryana chief ministers and police chiefs and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also briefed.

A look at the deras and their famous political visitors

The Home Minister must, however, answer why Section 144 was not imposed in time and in entirety. Media reports until yesterday indicated that supporters continued to stream in to Panchkula and Sirsa despite 'the curfew-like restrictions' until Thursday afternoon.

According to CNN-News18, Home minister Rajnath Singh has tried to defend the Haryana cheif minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Singh has reportedly said that in a democracy a state government cant really restrict the movement of people who are unarmed and peaceful. It was only later that the mob turned violence and the state administration can't be blamed.

Rajnath Singh comes to rescue of Manohar Lal Khattar as media blames Haryana CM

The violence in haryana has spilled over to the national capital despite the administration's claim that ample arrangements were in place. Two traincoaches have been torched at Anand Vihar railway station, buses have been gutted in Loni, a border area between Ghaziabad and Haryana, and petrol bombs were hurled in Shahadra area of New Delhi.

Dera supporters on rampage in Delhi too; violence reported from Mangolpuri, Shahadra, Loni

Army columns were also on stand-by in Sirsa, where the sect's headquarters is located, for "quick reaction", the sources said.

Six army columns were deployed in Haryana's Panchkula on Friday after violence erupted following the verdict convicting Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case, said army sources.

Six army columns deployed in Panchkula, forces on standby in Sirsa

The mob of Dera Sacha Sauda supporters torched around 300 cars and two wheelers in Sector 2 and Sector 17 of Panchkula. The violent mob also torched an LIC building and vandalised an Income Tax office. These sectors are near the High Court located in the vicinity of 1 km. This video shows the devastation that this angry mob has left behind.

A fire also engulfed two coaches of the Rewa Express stationed at the Anand Vihar Railway Station. Railway officials said it was not clear if it was a case of arson and investigations were underway.

A bus was torched allegedly by followers of Dera Sacha Sauda in northeast Delhi's Loni Chowk on Friday, the police said.

States of Punjab, Haryana to submit report in HC by 11 am on Saturday

Manohar lal Khattar has assured that strict action will be taken against the 'anti-social' elements, as he appealed to people to stay vary of such elements.

Haryana CM appeals to people to avoid anti-social elements, says no one is above the law

Three people detained in Delhi after incidents of violence in national capital

"Protesters have been identified. We have video footage of the incident and strict action will be taken against them. Most of the protesters have been ousted from city. I appeal Dera supporters to stay calm and deter the protesters. It is their duty too to maintain law and order," Ram Niwas, Additional Chief Secretary to Haryana Govt

Protesters identified in video footage, strict action will be taken: Haryana govt

Police personnel posted inside college campuses in Sonepat area. Students in Jindal University have een asked not to step out of the college campus, a student from inside Jindal college hostel told 101Reportes.

Sriganganagar district collector Gyana Ram said that it was yet to be ascertain whether the incident was in reaction to the conviction of the self-styled godman.

A vehicle was set on fire by a group of unidentified people in Rajasthan's Sriganganagar, the birthplace of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh who was convicted in a rape case by a CBI court in Haryana on Friday.

"This is unjust. We will appeal against the judgment," the statement said.

In a statement in Hindi, signed by spokesperson Dilawar Insaan, the Dera also appealed for peace amid widespread violence that has already claimed 17 lives after the verdict was pronounced earlier on Friday.

The Dera Sacha Sauda on Friday described as "unjust" a special CBI court's verdict against its guru, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, convicted in a 2002 rape case, and said it would appeal against it.

Dera sect to challenge 'unjust' verdict against its chief in higher court

Railways says all trains to Rohtak in Haryana cancelled: PTI

Home minister has called for a high-level meet. Intelligence bureau chief, top paramilitary officials are likely to attend the meeting scheduled at 11 am tomorrow.

BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj has said that the court only listened to the victim but it overlooked 4 crore devotees. Sakshi Maharaj said that Ram Rahim is revered by crores of people as a god, whereas only one person has complained against him.

Reports from Fatehabad say that five people attempted suicide over the Ram Rahim Singh verdict. Four people committed suicide in the urban area while one died in the Sohana sub-division. A curfew will be imposed tonight in the district in Haryana. A mob of Dera Sacha Sauda supporters also tried to torch the Sohana municipal corporation building. Seven persons have been detained by the police in connection with this incident.

All petrol pumps shut in Delhi in the wake of Haryana violence

Dera Sacha Sauda's head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case that was going on since 2002. The victim, who was a minor at the time, has stood up against the might of the self-styled godman on whose command lakhs of people gathered outside the court and amob went on frenzy.

The victim in Ram Rahim Singh rape case was a minor at the time of incident

He assured the people that the loss of private property, inluding media vans, will be compenated by the state government.

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that the violence flared up because the mob was too large to control. The chief minister said that some mistakes have been made, however, the matter was complicated by the fact that the Dera chief commands large support in the state.

BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj. justifying rape convict Dera chief, said that only one person has complained against Ram Rahim, while crores of people rever him. He said that it could also be a part of conspiracy. The BJP MP also said that the responsibility of the mob rampage lies with the courts too and not just the Dera supporters. He said that is somene's faith is assaulted, it is not surprising that the people will react.

Not just Dera, Courts too responsible for rampage: Sakhsi Maharaj

Nobody can take responsibility when mob goes on rampage: Haryana BJP leader

Tech-savvy, social media friendly BJP leaders were in complete silence today as Haryana management failed to control violence. No Union Minister, barring one has tweeted anything on the matter. This is likely to give the Opposition a ripe chance to corner the BJP-led central government.

As law and order situation breaks down in Haryana, radio silence from BJP top-brass

Army units spreads across Haryana and Punjab, to remain in force till Monday

Baba is kept at rest house in Police Training center in Rohtak, confirmed rohtak jail superintendent Sunil Sangwan

Deputy Commissioner, Sonepat, K Makrand Pandurang said that a control room had been established in the district where people could provide information of any kind at the telephone number 0130-2221500, Sunnu Malik from 101Reporters told Firstpost.

Modi also urged officials to work round the clock to restore normalcy and provide all possible assistance that is required.

"The instances of violence today are deeply distressing. I strongly condemn the violence & urge everyone to maintain peace. The law & order situation is being closely monitored. I reviewed the situation with the NSA & Home Secretary," the prime minister tweeted.

At least five casualties suspected in Dera premises after they tried to torch milk plant in Sirsa due to a cylinder blast. The casualties, however, are yet to be confirmed by Dera official channel, Satpal Singh, from 101reporters reported.

At least 5 people killed in Sirsa as mob tried to torch milk plant

District Administration, Kaithal, has imposed curfew with immediate effect in Kaithal and Kalayat cities till further orders

District Administration, Ambala, has issued precautionary orders that all educational institutions in the district would remain closed on 26 August, 2017. District Magistrate, Mrs. Sharandeep Kaur Brar, assured that the law and order situation in the district was under control, and appealed to the people to maintain peace, harmony and fraternity.

Minister of State for Cooperation, Mr. Manish Kumar Grover, today met senior officers of the District Administration and sought information regarding security arrangements. He also directed the Commissioner, Inspector General of Police, Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police to ensure that there was no laxity in security arrangements.

Security beefed up in Rohtak, where Dera chief is kept in police guest house

Minister of State for Cooperation, Mr. Manish Kumar Grover, today met senior officers of the District Administration and sought information regarding security arrangements. He also directed the Commissioner, Inspector General of Police, Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police to ensure that there was no laxity in security arrangements.

Security beefed up in Rohtak, where Dera chief is kept in police rest room

The state education minister, Ram Bilas Sharma, who publicly defended Ram Rahim’s followers that have brought three states to a standstill, had made a public spectacle by gifting Rahim a cheque of Rs 51 lakh recently," News18 reported

"At least three senior state ministers in the BJP government in Haryana - Ram Bilas Sharma, Anil Vij and Grover - have together gifted the Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Rs 1.12 crore.

Of this, 16 patients suffered orthopedic injuries, five cardiovascular injuries, two have limb injuries and rest have multiple injuries. Two patients are critical.

59 patients (Dera supporters and civilians) had been admitted to PGI Advanced Trauma Centre, out of which 7 people are dead, Anil Kakkar form 101Reporters reported.

The report also said that the victim, a minor at the time of the sexual assault, broke down after Ram Rahim was convicted.

The chargesheet further stated that Ram Rahim raped the women on the pretext of “purifying them of all impurities.”

India Today TV reported that the CBI has named total nine rape victims in its chargesheet against Ram Rahim Singh. Quoting the CBI chargesheet, the news channel said that at least 24 ‘sadhvis’ had left Dera ashram after claiming that they were raped. However, fearing backlash only two victims came forward to complain against the self-styled godman.

"I wanted to ensure that no one plays dirty and weakens the case later. Therefore, I got the statement of the girl recorded before a magistrate so that retracting it becomes nearly impossible," he added.

"The girl, who had been sexually abused in 1999, had since left Dera and got married. It was a daunting task to convince her as well as her family members. Thankfully, I played the role of a father for her and ensured that she not only gives her statement but also testifies before a magistrate," he said.

He also spoke about the difficulties in investigating the case.

"As the investigations carried on, many powerful politicians and business persons walked into the CBI headquarters and put lot of pressure to close the case. But thanks to the judiciary, we could manage to complete our investigation," he said.

With a senior directing them to close the case and the woman who alleged sexual abuse getting married, it was a "game of wits" for the CBI team that probed the rape case against Gurmeet Ram Rahim, recalled a retired officer on Friday.

A retired CBI official reveals the 'challanges' he faced in probing the high profile case

Section 144 imposed in all districts of Delhi except Central and North Delhi

Mapping the areas affected by the violence perpetrated by Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's followers

ANI reported that a person injured in Sirsa has succumbed to injuries. The death toll in Haryana now stands at 31.

Death toll rises to 31 as person injured in Sirsa succumbs to injuries

Dismissing media reports that the Dera chief is getting special treatment, KP Singh, DG of Prisons (Haryana), clarified that Ram Rahim Singh is being treated as a normal prisoner. There is no attendant or AC in his cell, he added.

CNN-News18 reported that peace is slowly returning to Rohtak. The army knows that nothing has happened yet and they are just on standby. People are coming out of their homes on Saturday, unlike Friday. The police has been dispersed from Rohtak as the situation goes back to normal.

The chief minister kept talking of devotion and devotees, not of the deaths of people, the arson, or the mayhem. His government had allowed Dera mobilisation despite warnings by courts and the media. His ministers then blamed the media, which was also attacked by Ram Rahim's followers, for going to the mob.

The Haryana administration has decided to seal the Kurukshetra office of the Dera chief after the high court ordered the government to seize the properties of the sect to for damages incurred in the violence after the verdict, CNN-News18 reported.

For these followers, the guru's word is cast in stone and must be upheld. Insiders in the Sirsa ashram cite auction of vegetable and fruit baskets as an example. Followers from different regions are invited for these auctions, which take place frequently. Fruit baskets, which otherwise cost a few hundred rupees, are auctioned for lakhs of rupees.

These followers have been taught never to question the guru, and to always fight for his honour at all cost. They easily turn to violence when the Dera head is questioned.

Despite the verdict, followers still have unquestioning faith in Ram Rahim

Haryana DGP told CNN-News18 that the state is now peaceful but there are over 10,000 supporters still inside the ashram in Sirsa and efforts are on to evacuate them.

The Haryana high court slammed the state government and said that it seems the Mahohar lal Khattar administration allowed the situation to deteriorate. HC said that the government allowed the city to burn for political reasons.

He further said that the buck stops at the chief minister and he should have the moral courage to own up to it.

Congress spokesperson Sachin Pilot told CNN-News18 that the Manohar Lal Khattar government had a week to prepare before the verdict. "There is rampage and rioting which is spreading to other states, he added.

Manohar Lal Khattar should own up to his mistake: Congress spokesperson

It is also heartening to see the Punjab and Haryana high court order attachment of Dera Sacha Sauda assets to pay for the massive damage to public property during the arson and violence. The Centre, which has also been slow to react and appeared to initially indulging the inept conduct of Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, has taken a commendable step in ordering tight security for judge Jagdeep Singh. There is every possibility that DSS goons might target him for passing the verdict.

In convicting the controversial godman for raping his followers, Jagdeep Singh, the special CBI judge, has broken the aura of invincibility around these self-styled gurus and shown that nobody is above law. Of course, there have been many precedents of godmen being convicted for their crimes, but such affirmative action needs to be repeated from time to time because the executive has once too often been guilty of abdicating its responsibilities.

Amid criminal negligence and widespread dereliction of duty by the administration, the judiciary has once again emerged as a beacon of hope to keep alive the India story. Close on the heels of two landmark judgements on triple talaq and right to privacy, the judiciary once again rose to the occasion to bring down the force of law on a criminal who has enjoyed state indulgence for decades under every government of myriad political hues.

Army advisory: Army issued advisory in December 2010 about weapons training to Dera activists at Sirsa. High court issued notice to Haryana government and sought details

Ram Chander Chatterpati murder case: Sirsa-based journalist Chatterpati was killed on 23 October, 2002, for reporting about illegal activities inside the Dera headquarters and Ram Rahim was booked for alleged involvement in the murder conspiracy.

Ranjit Singh murder case: Ram Rahim is charged with involvement in the murder conspiracy of Dera manager Ranjit Singh in July 2002, allegedly killed by the Dera chief's supporters, according to a The Times of India report.

A look at some cases against the Dera chief

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is more interested in saving the seat of his 'friend' Khattar, the party said. We appeal for peace again and we hope that the Central government will abide by rajdharma and impose President's rule in Haryana.

Congress on Saturday lashed out at the BJP government for the violence following the verdict. Ina press conference, the party said that there was a notice of one week at least before the verdict then why wasn't the paramilitary informed and prepared.

Important points on internal security were discussed in the meeting, one being violence post Ram Rahim's conviction, said home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi after meeting Rajnath Singh along with NSA Ajit Doval and others. He added that the district magistrate of Haryana has assured that situation is under control.

After the announcement of the verdict, his supports started protesting and damaging public property, the DGP said.

DGP Haryana said that one of the main things was getting Ram Rahim Singh to Panchkula from Sirsa and it wasn't our responsibilty. The cars and whatever security was there on the way was arranged by the Dera chief, he added.

No reports of violence till the announcement of verdict: DGP Haryana

Former CBI joint director Mulinja Narayanan told PTI, "It was a game of wits. Sometimes we won and sometimes we lost but, at the end, today's verdict showed that no one can escape the law of the land." - PTI

A retired CBI officer who headed the investigations against Ram Rahim Singh revealed that he was under pressure to close the case and described it as a "game of wits".

There was pressure to drop Ram Rahim case: Ex-CBI official

Haryana DGP told reporters that the top priority for the police was to maintain peace from 3 pm Friday. Home secretary, while responding to a question about the Dera's assets, said that the high court has ordered the lawyers of the Dera to present the details of the sect's properties in court and then something will be decided.

It was not that the police and government were unaware of the extent of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s massive following. (prefixing Baba will be an insult to this word) in and across Haryana, providing him with money and muscle power.. What was public knowledge too was that Ram Rahim had close links with the high-ups, notably BJP which is in power in Haryana and at the Centre. Ram Rahim was apparently invincible. That the judgment will be delivered on 25 August was known from before. What should have been anticipated was what happened yesterday.

I too remained glued to TV for hours on Friday. As a former career cop, I was assaulted by fleeting emotions ranging from disbelief to shame to anger to anguish and again to anger. The DGP showing his back and the force fleeing the scene was too much for me. The mayhem that was being telecasted live before my eyes was predictable and therefore preventable. So what went wrong?

'What happened yesterday should have been anticipated'

The violence and this mayhem wouldn't have happened if the state government had abided by its responsibilities, said former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. He also demanded Khattar's resignation and President's rule in Haryana.

Haryana's chief secretary said Ram Rahim's 'Z plus' security was withdrawn after his conviction in the rape case.

The army on Saturday said that law and order is the priority while adding that there are no plans yet to enter the Dera's headquarters in Sirsa.

With their superior wisdom the higher ups in police and government should have forewarned the neighbouring states and ensured that reinforcements reached the SP well in advance.

SHO, SP and DGP are the main figures on whom the maintenance of law and order hinges. SP and DM acting in tandem have all the legal powers and public support to deal with normal law and order situations. However, this day was going to call for massive reinforcements and not only inter-district but also inter-state coordination and exchange of intelligence on day to day and even hour to hour basis.

It was very obvious, for experienced cops like me, that the political establishment kept vacillating, thus keeping the police administration confused and uncertain. Not a word was heard from Khattar until precious lives were lost and crores worth of property damaged. Such large scale arson and vandalism bear ample testimony to the paralysis of decision making.

The Haryana government had the opportunity to prevent the violence that followed Ram Rahim's conviction but they allowed it to happen, said Congress leader Sanjay Jha while asking for Manohar Lal Khattar's resignation.

In a statement, she expressed deep anguish over the loss of lives in the state after the frenzied followers of Ram Rahim Singh went on a rampage. "The Khattar government should be immediately dismissed for its absolute laxity and involvement leading to large-scale violence after the conviction of the Dera Sacha Sauda chief on rape charges," Mayawati said.

BSP president Mayawati has demanded immediate dismissal of the Khattar government over the violence in Haryana, saying such "shameful surrender" to votebank politics needed to be condemned.

Rajnath Singh reviewed the situation in Haryana today in a high-level meet with NSA Ajit Doval and others. The home ministry said in a statement that the situation in Haryana is under control, CNN-News18 reported.

Union minister Rajnath Singh chaired a high-level meeting to review the security situation in the country, particularly Haryana, and was told that the situation in the state was under control, officials said. Emerging from the high-level meeting, Union home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi said the director general of Haryana Police had assured the Central government that the situation was under control now. - PTI

"They have horribly failed. So, Khattar should not continue as the chief minister of Haryana," he told reporters. "This is Khattar's second failure. He had earlier failed to maintain law and order during the Jat reservation stir," Reddy said.

The CPI has sought the resignation of Manohar Lal Khattar, saying the BJP government in the state has "horribly failed" to deal with the violence following the conviction of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case. CPI general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy also demanded tough measures by the Centre to bring the situation back to normal in Punjab and Haryana.

It was only possible because the entire governement was doing its job properly. Punjab government and our forces were on the ground and I am proud of it, the chief minister said.

Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh told reporters on Saturday that althought there have been 52 incidents in Punjab, all of them were minor incidents. Barring the incident when a railway station was burnt, others were all minor in nature, he added. Police has already taken cognisance of the railway station incident as well.

No major incident in Punjab has been reported: Amarinder Singh

However, the chief minister refused to comment on Haryana or Manohar Lal Khattar. The mistake, he said, was letting people to concentrate,

Amarinder Singh said that they have lost seven people from Punjab and out of the total 250 injured, 42 were from the state. He added that Punjab has no objection if train services are resumed.

Seven people from Punjab died in the clashes: Amarinder Singh

The chief minister, while dismissing reports that there has been no lathi-charge in Punjab, said that if any damages are reported in the state, he will make sure that Dera pays for it. "I will not allow violence of any form in Punjab," he added.

Dera will have to pay for any damages in Punjab: Amarinder Singh

Amarinder Singh said that the fault in this mayhem lies with allowing people to gather. He added that the Haryana government never asked him to stop vehicles from Punjab from entering Panchkula. "If there is conviction, there will be reaction and this sort of reaction was anticipated," he added,

He said prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC were already in place in the district. The administration has also directed all gram panchayats in the district to deploy youth to carry out night vigil for maintenance of peace and law and order in their villages, he said. —PTI

Appealing to people not to enter the district without any specific and urgent reason, he said checking of every person who enters Rohtak was being carried out in several places. If during checking, any person fails to produce proof of identity or specify reason for visiting the district, then he would be taken into custody, Kumar said. Police have so far taken seven persons into custody, he added.

A paramilitary company comprises around 100 troops, while an Army column consists of 80-100 soldiers. Check posts have been set up at borders of the district and duty magistrate has also been deputed, Rohtak Deputy Commissioner Atul Kumar said.

Ten companies of paramilitary forces were on Saturday deployed in Haryana's Rohtak district and 18 columns of the Army requisitioned as Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is lodged in a jail the city after his conviction by a CBI court in a rape case.

In terms of individuals affected, Sandhu said that 36 people have been killed and 269 people have been injured. Out of the injured, 212 people were civilians. Property damage was also noted at 18 public and private locations in Haryana. He also said that about 3,000 to 4,000 people were at the Dera Sacha Sauda ahram in Sirsa and they are vacating gradually. He added that 24 vehicles were impounded by police in Panchkula. Also, five pistols (79 rounds), two rifles (52 rounds), an AK 47, three petrol bombs, iron rods and hockey sticks were also recovered.

BS Sandhu, Haryana Police Chief, said that 552 arrests have been made in relation to the violence in Haryana so far. He added that no violence has occurred in past 24 hours. Considering this, buses will now ply on limited routes in the state. He said that the probe is still on to capture perpetrators.

Curfew to be relaxed in Haryana's Sirsa from 6 am to 11 am tomorrow, reports ANI

The police on Saturday have recovered one AK47 rifle and one Mauser from a vehicle of a Dera follower, and two rifles and five pistols from another vehicle during the operations. As many as 524 persons have been arrested under eight different FIRs registered against the Dera followers in Sirsa

The Deputy Commissioner said that the situation in the district was completely under control and the police was fully prepared to tackle any situation.

Rohtak Deputy Commissioner, Atul Kumar, said that Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is being treated as an ordinary inmate in Sunaria Jail and is being provided the same food that is being provided to other inmates.

Ban on mobile internet services to continue until Tuesday in Haryana, sources reveal

Captain Amarinder Singh will be visiting Malout, Bhatinda and other riot affected areas of Punjab to take stock of the situation there, reports CNN News18.

The Sirsa district administration relaxed the curfew for five hours in and around Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa on Sunday, after restrictions were imposed on 24 August. PTI reported that Petrol pumps, shops and other commercial establishments were allowed to open in the area.

Curfew relaxed for 5 hours around Dera headquarters in Sirsa as violence subsides

Section 144 was imposed in the entire city except for North and Central police districts on Friday night after multiple incidents of arson in the city following the conviction of the rape accused self-styled godman in Panchkula in Haryana.

The day-to-day life of the citizens would, however, not be affected, police said.

Prohibitory orders imposed in 11 of the 13 police districts in the national capital in the wake of the violence following the conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Ram Rahim Singh will continue for now, police said on Saturday.

Section 144 to remain in force in Delhi, for now

Anshul, the son of Ram Chander Chhatrapati, the journalist who was killed after he exposed Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's rape case, is now waiting for justice in the 15-year-old murder case. After several delay tactics by Dera Sacha Sauda, the case is expected to be heard in the near future.

He said about 3,000 to 4,000 persons in the Dera Sacha Sauda centre in Sirsa are gradually leaving the place, adding no untoward incident has been reported during this movement.

The rail services from Delhi to Katra via Ambala have been resumed and an approval has been granted to start bus services to certain places in Haryana, PTI quoted DGP BS Sandhu as saying on Saturday.

Schools and colleges in Chandigarh, which were closed in anticipation of violence after Ram Rahim Singh's conviction, will reopen tomorrow. However, the Chandigarh administration is taking adequate security measures as the city has been put on high alert.

The answer takes us into the heart of India's dysfunctional democracy where the writ of State is often overruled by criminals, godmen and criminal godmen who enter into an unofficial power-sharing contract with politicians. They command multitudes, often by administering pop spirituality and filling up the vacuum left by poor institutions of the State, is a lucrative prospect for politicians.

It's easy to blame his followers for violence but State is culpable too

Through his sect Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS), Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan (a moniker to reflect his secular credentials) claims to have 50 million global followers. From Akali Dal, National Lok Dal to Congress and BJP, his massive and loyal fan base made all parties pay obeisance to him for electoral salvation.

Meanwhile, the death toll in the violence has risen to 36. As many as 30 persons died in Panchkula and six were killed in Sirsa town. Over 250 people were injured in the violence that also left properties worth crores of rupees damaged.

Curfew was withdrawn in Panchkula, adjoining Chandigarh and Kaithal, while it was was relaxed in Sirsa, 260 km the joint capital of the two states.

While joint capital Chandigarh will be put on high alert next week too, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's lawyers will file appeals in High Court challenging the conviction in the Panchkula CBI court, reports News18.

The situation in Rohtak town, where rape convict is kept, is normal. Being Sunday, the shops are closed and roads wear a deserted look. Police have set up barricades on Rohtak-Delhi National Highway bypass near Sunaria village. Only media persons and security forces are allowed to stand near barricades. Civilians are being told to remain at home.

Parveen Kumar, a resident of Sunaria village, where Ram Rahim is jailed, said that his village has only one or two families who follow the Dera. Kumar says that this is the reason why the question of lawlessness in Rohtak does not arise. Kumar said that people in Rohtak would support the administration in the hour of crises.

Police have setup barricades on roads, highways leading to Rohtak and not permitting vehicles entry trying to enter Rohtak. Only government vehicles and emergency vehicles are permitted.

An estimated 50,000 people are still stuck inside the DSS campus in Sirsa. As the transportation services are suspended, many have not left the campus and are taking shelter inside. A few are walking by foot and taking shelters on the national highways, with a hope of getting some transport services to reach their destination.

Rohtak jail is the same jail, where BJP patriarch LK Advani was lodged during the early days of The Emergency. Late Sardar Tirlok Singh Mann was the jail superintendent at that point of time.

Panchkula is limping back to normalcy. All focus is now on the government hospital where all the injured have been admitted. Treatment of the injured is now being prioritised.

At Rohtak jail, all routine meeting of inmates with their relatives have been suspended for three days by the jail administration. Phone calls, which are permitted daily to inmates, have also been suspended for three days.

SP, Rohtak Police says that intelligence reports revealed that there may be 15-20 thousand Dera supporters in Rohtak. However, the Rohtak Police promised to keep situation under control and said, "We have inputs to identify Dera supporters. More followers may come but we are prepared to handle the situation."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed violence by followers of self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim, and said, violence in the name of faith is unacceptable. Modi also asserted that any person or group taking law in own hands will not be spared.

Curfew reimposed in Sirsa after being relaxed for a few hours

NDTV quoted Navdeep Singh Virk of Rohtak Police as saying, "A total of 28 paramilitary companies have been requested for security in the city ahead of Ram Rahim's sentencing and 23 have already been stationed; 5 are on their way."

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh will be sentenced inside the Rohtak jail on Monday. Keeping this in mind, the Rohtak Police has made thorough security arrangements to tackle any untoward incident.

"I want to assure the country that no country, no government can tolerate anybody taking law into their hands, whether it is an individual or a group. Everybody will have to bow before the law. The law will determine accountability and the guilty will be punished," he asserted. - PTI

"I had said it from the Red Fort (in Independence Day speech) that in the name of faith, violence will not be tolerated. Whether the faith is religious, political or in favour of a individual or a tradition, nobody has the right to take the law into his own hands in the name of faith," the prime minister declared.

In his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', Prime Minister Narendra Modi said everybody will have to bow before the law. He said the Constitution provides scope for redressal of all kinds of grievances.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked the two state governments to declare their strategies to prevent such incidents of mob violence in future. Over 30 people have been killed and 250 injured after Friday’s rampage by Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's followers, - News18

How will you stop mob violence in future: HC asks Punjab, Haryana govts

According to officials at the govt hospital in Panchkula, of the 28 dead, 15 bodies have been claimed by their respective family members while the rest still remains unidentified.

According to The Indian Express , Deras are sects which came out of the failure of the Sikh religion to guarantee social equality. This is the reason why most of the members of the Deras belong to the Scheduled Caste community in Punjab. According to the The border state has the highest percentage of Dalit population in India: 29 percent.

A bit of the idea of Deras in Punjab

The attackers tried to snatch the camera of the team and damaged it. The media team got minor injuries in the attack before they were rescued by security forces in the vicinity. However, the miscreants took away the car of the media team. The car, which contained equipment, was later recovered by the police.

A media team from a national news channel was attacked by followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) on Sunday as the area around the sect headquarters remained tense. The Dera followers, numbering five to six, chased the media team and assaulted them after stopping them near the sect headquarters, about eight kilometres from Sirsa town.

"Time and again, Khattar government has witch-hunted me, questioned me and my integrity, harassed me, without basis. Today, I ask them to prove their integrity and take responsibility of a glaring massacre, which happened under their nose. The whole country is shocked. India's image across the world has taken a setback. Citizens need to unite and protect each other. I request the central government to give us our basic right of feeling safe and secure, ensuring such incidents of rioting do not occur again," he said.

He also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state of questioning his integrity and harassing him. Vadra said it was the time for the state government to prove its integrity and take responsibility for the "massacre".

"I appreciate the Punjab and Haryana High Court for pulling up Khattar government (for) letting the situation escalate," he said.

Vadra lauded the Punjab and Haryana High Court order to compensate for the losses suffered in the violence by auctioning the Dera chief's property.

"Panchkula is burning with 36 dead and 250 injured. My heartfelt condolences to the families of those affected... Khattar, the CM of Haryana, the nation wants you to take responsibility of security lapses and resign," Vadra tweeted.

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar should resign taking responsibility for the violence that followed the conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra said on Sunday.

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's lawyers will be seeking a shorter sentence for him. Senior Advocate SK Garg Narwana told News18 that he believes the self-styled godman is innocent and he will seek legal remedies to prove the same.Senior Advocate SK Garg Narwana also reiterated Narwana's stance.

Media entry has been restricted to about 1.5 kilometres away from Rohtak jail. Paramilitary forces have taken charge of vicinity around the jail. No visuals or videos are being allowed to be taken.

Ahead of the sentencing on Monday, Rohtak Police has warned Dera supporters to not indulge in any kind of violence. "Anyone trying to disturb peace in Rohtak on Monday will have to face the bullet. There will be no compromise on this. Its loud and clear," said Rohtak DC Atul Kumar.

The Fatehabad district administration has warned the Dera Sacha Sauda supporters from indulging any violence ahead of the sentencing on Monday. According to a press release, the authorities will seal properties linked to the outfit and take strict legal action against supporters if they indulge in any kind of violence. In view of the security threat, schools and colleges will be shut on Monday. Moreover, the district has been put under Section 144 until 18 September 2017.

Haryana Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Ram Niwas told News18, "Schools and colleges will not be open tomorrow. Internet services restriction extended for 48 hours. 552 arrests have been made so far in connection with massive violence in the state following Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's conviction in a rape case. We have requested media not to go without security."

According to The Indian Express, 24 columns have been deployed in Panchkula(12), Sirsa (12), while four are deployed in Punjab's Mansa (02) and Malaut (02).

According to Amar Ujala , the Jain monk, who was controversially called for delivering a lecture in the Haryana Assembly last year, said that people like Ram Rahim kill the faith of crores of people.

Haryana Director General of Police BS Sandhu will address a press conference at Police Headquarter, Sector 6, Panchkula at 5 pm.

India Today TV is reporting that various banks are now set to seal the accounts belonging to the Dera Sacha Sauda. This development comes a day after the Punjab and Haryana High Court asked the government to seal Dera assets to compensate for the loss of property due to arson by supporters of the sect.

Sources said that the CBI court judge will arrive in Rohtak jail by chopper on Sunday evening. He would stay in the rest house and announce the quantum of punishment at 11 am on Monday.

Quantum of punishment likely at 11 am

While Khattar chose to remain silent for several hours before and after the violence, his chosen officers, comprising Director General of Police (DGP) BS Sandhu, Chief Secretary DS Dhesi, Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Ram Niwas, Advocate General BR Mahajan and others, continued to mislead the Punjab and Haryana High Court, media and the public with unabashed lies and half-truths.

In the past over 100 hours of the Dera Sacha Sauda mayhem, the BJP government in Haryana led by chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar relied on lies, half-truths and secrecy to defend itself in the face of the mayhem which left 36 people dead and over 250 injured.

Manohar Lal Khattar, Haryana Police come under attack for 'mishandling the situation'

Thirty paramilitary companies have been deployed in the city to avoid any untoward incident after Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is sentenced on Monday.

In view of the sentencing, Rohtak DC Atul Kumar said on Sunday that all schools and colleges in the district will be shut on Monday.

Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Ram Niwas, said that the orders had been issued under the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order in the State in view of quantum of punishment to be announced for Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on Monday.

Besides, internet lease lines in the premises of Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa have been suspended till 29 August. Any person found guilty for violation of these orders would be liable for legal action.

Haryana Government has extended the suspension of mobile internet services, including 2G, 3G, 4G, CDMA and GPRS, all SMS services and all dongle services provided on mobile networks, except voice calls, in the state till 11.30 am. on 29 August.

These coins, engraved with the words 'Dhan Dhan Satguru Tera hi Asara, Dera Sacha Sauda Sirsa', can then be used by the customer to buy items at the 'Sach' shops later.

Located in and around Dera premises, these shops have the word 'Sach' (truth) prefixed to their respective names and give out plastic 'coins' or tokens of Rs 10 and Rs five to customers if they are unable to tender change in Indian currency.

In the town of Sirsa, home to the sprawling headquarters of the Dera Sacha Sauda, shops owned by followers of the sect's flamboyant head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh run a separate monetary system to tender change to customers.

On Sunday, the number of army columns deployed in Sirsa went up to 12, from eight deployed on Saturday, an army official said. A flag march was also taken out by the army in Sirsa, the official said, adding that area domination patrol has been carried out and the situation is in control.

Four more army columns deployed in Sirsa ahead of Dera chief's sentencing

Throughout the day, a group of people serve snacks, tea, lassi and food to security and Army personnel on motorbikes, gypsy cars and tractors.People have also constructed a long wall called "Neki ki diwar" on the Dabwali road where locals keep items they do not need so that the needy could use them. Also, a "Roti Bank", which works on the principle of collecting food from do-gooders and distributing it among the poor, was launched here recently.

Directions have also been issued to Haryana telecom service providers and those providing internet lease lines in the premises of Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa to ensure compliance with these orders.

Besides, internet lease lines in the premises of Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa have been suspended until 29 August. Any person found guilty of violation of these orders would be liable for legal action. While stating this in Chandigarh on Sunday, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Ram Niwas, said that the orders had been issued under the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order in the State in view of quantum of punishment to be announced by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in the case of Dera Sacha Sauda Chief, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, on 28 August. “The orders have been taken considering the critical law and order situation and to maintain peace and communal harmony in the State, and to prevent any loss of life or further damage to public and private property. It has been reported by IG/CID that the situation is tense and violence may again continue for several days, especially on 28 August, when the quantum of punishment will be announced. Besides, it has been reported by Deputy Commissioner, Sirsa and Superintendent of Police, Sirsa that the devotees may resort to breach of peace and tranquillity, and arson leading to damage to public and private properties, Sirsa being the headquarters of Dera Sacha Sauda. Since the environment is tense, rumours of different kinds may be spread through broadband and internet lease lines in the premises of Dera Sacha Sauda,” he added.

Haryana Government has extended the suspension of mobile internet services, including 2G, 3G, 4G, CDMA and GPRS, all SMS services and all dongle services provided on mobile networks, except voice calls, in the State till 11.30 am on 29 August, 2017.

Haryana Home Department orders suspension of mobile internet and SMS services in state until 29 August

Sat Singh from 101 reporters , adds that authorities have recovered 14 motorcycles, one tractor, four other two-wheelers and one car, besides, a large number of weapons and other objectionable items.

Of the 250 injured, Sandhu claims that only 17 people are admitted, out of which 14 are civilians and 3 are policemen.

He said that 52 cases have been registered so far and 926 people have been arrested. As for casualties, 38 people have died in the violence. 6 casualties are from Sirsa and 32 are from Panchkula. He added that all bodies in Sirsa have been identified, but in Panchkula, 24 have been identified through post-mortem, the rest are yet to be identified.

He stated that police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in Rohtak and army personnel are also on standby. Dera ashrams have been searched and 103 deras have been sanitized, he added. In terms of transportation, bus and railway services, especially from Delhi to Katra have been resumed. Trains towards Hisra and Rohtak have a few restrictions in place and schools will have a holiday in the state.

Sandhu also assured that police protection will be provided to the media and the police is prepared to handle any mob situations. “I assure you that the media is safe, we are part of the same system,” he said at the presser.

BS Sandhu, Haryana DGP said that a curfew has only been implemented in Sirsa and that no other location has a curfew in place now. He added that there is peace across the state and the top priority of the Haryana police is maintaining peace in the state. "The top priority now is to ensure that law and order is maintained when the sentencing of convicted Dera Sacha Sauda chief takes place in Rohtak tomorrow," he said.

Haryana DGP addresses media, says 52 cases have been registered so far and 926 arrests have been made

Court proceedings will be around 2:30 pm, says Haryana ADGP (Law and Order) Mohammad Akil

He said that the court proceedings will be around 2:30 pm give or take. He added that provisions in Sunaria jail have been completed and that force are confident that any disruption of peace shouldn’t occur. He said that if any anti-social element tries to disrupt peace, strict measures will be taken depending on the occasion. He also said that 33 companies of paramilitary have been deployed. Anti-riot equipment has also been provided. He also mentioned an FIR filed in Panchkula police station that was initiated due to a Dainik Bhaskar report. The FIRs impose sedition charges on two Dera followers.

Haryana ADGP (Law and Order) Mohammad Akil said that he visited Rohtak today and reviewed the restrictions imposed by the authorities. He said that the paramilitary and police forces have made good provisions and he has suggested improvements that will be implemented today night.

Haryana DGP BS Sandhu said that after Ram Rahim Singh's conviction, Honeypreet Insan expressed her desire to go with him "as an attendant" stating he is unwell. "She was in the chopper with the court's permission," he said, adding that the judge said that having her as an attendant in Rohtak is "jail department and government's prerogative." Sandhu added that she didn't get permission to be in Sunaria jail so she is not in the prison.

Honeypreet Insan was in chopper with the permission of court, says Haryana DGP

He added that Section 144 has been imposed but no curfew is in place in Rohtak and that authorities have made sure that daily life will not be interrupted in the city. He added that the court premises and the residence of the judges are protected and flag marches have also been held in the area.

Regarding the involvement of the Army, he said that the forces have not been called in and will mostly "not be required." He added that the Army conducted a recce of the area around the prison and that the forces are on standby.

Navdeep Singh added that entire police service in the city has been deployed and 23 paramilitary companies will be active in Rohtak. He also said that police personnel from nearby districts have been supplied to Rohtak. "We are 100 percent certain that no untoward incident will happen during the proceeding," he said. Regarding media reports that 10,000 to 15,000 Dera forces have allegedly snuck into Rohtak, he said that intelligence forces deny theses reports.

Inspector General of Police, Rohtak Range, Navdeep Singh Virk addressed the press and said that a helicopter will land at a helipad near Sunaria jail. A special courtroom has been made in the prison to deliver the quantum of sentence. He corroborated the details that Haryana ADGP Mohammad Akil provided and said that the judgment will be announced at 2.30. When asked how the media will find out about the judgment, he said that arrangements have been made so that judges can give a byte to the press after the proceedings.

IG Police Rohtak, Navdeep Singh Virk says special courtroom has been made in Rohtak jail for sentencing

Post-mortem examination have been conducted on 19 casualties and the bodies have been handed over to their kin.

These include Gurpal Singh of district Patiala (Punjab), Aman of district Fazilika (Punjab), Vikram Singh of district Kaithal, Lovepreet alias Bagga of district Malot (Punjab), Jagroop Singh of Barnala (Punjab), Jai Bhagwan of district Jind, Nembo of district Jind, Sube Singh of district Jind, Ramesh of district Jind, Vinit of district Ambala, Gurdeep Singh of district Karnal, Hari Singh of Bathinda (Punjab), Manish Sharma of Patiala (Punjab), Manish of Karnal, Uggarsen of Mansa (Punjab), Mukesh Kumar of district Hanumangarh (Rajasthan), Naveen of district Jind, Ranjeet Singh of district Sangrur (Punjab), Virender of district Moga (Punjab), Gurpyar Singh of district Muktsar (Punjab), Darwara Singh of district Patiala (Punjab), Chander Pal of district Dehradun (Uttarakhand), Piyare Lal of district Jind and Sanjeev of Kalayat district Kaithal.

These include 11 each from Punjab and Haryana and one each from Rajasthan and Uttarakhand.

The Haryana Government has released list of 24 persons who were killed during violence in Panchkula and Sirsa, after the delivery of verdict against Dera Sacha Sauda Chief, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, by CBI court on 25 August, 2017.

Honeypreet, in her thirties, accompanied Ram Rahim Singh when he was brought to the special CBI court in Panchkula for the pronouncement of the verdict in the 15-year-old rape case on Friday.

Considered a confidant of the Dera chief, she has also emerged as his likely successor to head the controversial sect.

Honeypreet Insan is the adopted daughter of Ram Rahim Singh whose conviction in a rape case triggered mob violence that killed 36 people across Haryana.

Ram Rahim Singh's daughter Honeypreet describes herself as 'Papa's angel', likely to be next Dera chief

IG Police, Rohtak Range, Navdeep Singh Virk speaks to the media, watch the complete presser here

Following the special CBI court's verdict on 25 August which convicted Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh of rape, the details of those who died in the violence is are as follows:

The top cop said the Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed the state police to verify the report carried by a Hindi daily regarding alleged instigation of Dera supporters by its five leaders. "An FIR has been lodged in Panchkula police station following a statement by a newspaper reporter against two key functionaries of the Dera, namely Aditya Insan and Dhiman Insaan. The duo have been booked for sedition," he said.

Two key Dera functionaries have been booked for sedition on the basis of a news report, Haryana DGP BS Sandhu said in a press conference on Sunday.

The chief minister said it was for the Centre to take any decision on ordering a probe into the collapse of law and order that led to the anarchy and violence in Panchkula and other parts of Haryana, Punjab and Delhi on Friday.

The chief minister stated this while interacting with mediapersons during his tour of nearly a dozen areas in some of the sensitive districts in Malwa region of Punjab, which witnessed sporadic incidents of violence in the wake of the court verdict against the Dera Sacha Sauda chief on Friday.

Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday said no compensation would be granted to victims from the state who are found to have violated the law during the Panchkula violence in the wake of the court verdict against self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

"It has been reported by IG/CID that the situation is tense and violence may again continue for several days, especially on 28 August, when the quantum of punishment will be announced," an official statement quoting Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Ram Niwas, said. —PTI

Violence may erupt in Haryana on Monday after the quantum of sentence is pronounced against Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case, state's intelligence agency cautioned on Sunday.

Violence may erupt in Haryana after quantum of sentence is pronounced, says CID

PTI reported that the Special CBI court judge Jagdeep Singh, who delivered the guilty verdict in the 2002 rape case against the Dera chief on Friday, will be flown in by a special helicopter for the sentencing. The helicopter will land on the helipad near the jail on the outskirts of the Rohtak city, IG (Rohtak Range), Navdeep Singh Virk said on Sunday.

A special courtroom has been set up in the Sunaria Jail in Rohtak, where Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim has been lodged since his rape-conviction, for the pronouncement of the quantum of punishment on Monday.

The Dera in Jheenjhana of Shamli in Uttar Pradesh has been fully evacuated by the district police. According to the district police, around three thousand devotees had gathered here. Heavy police force has been deployed in the Dera.

Rohtak deputy commissioner Atul Kumar told Firstpost that those who dare take the law into their hands should be prepared to face bullets. He said that those committing arson would be issued one warning, after which security forces would be ordered to shoot at the protesters.

Rohtak Police warns of bullets if Dera supporters go on rampage

Two days after tens of thousands of Dera followers went berserk and vandalised vehicles and government buildings, Rohtak seemed calm on Sunday. Except the presence of paramilitary personnel on the roads, it was like any other regular, lazy Sunday morning. Vehicles were plying and shops were open as usual.

She opined that the two women whose rape complaint has landed the Dera chief behind bars must be only the tip of the iceberg and that the list of Singh's victims must be longer.

"We don't want to see Rohtak burning again after the 2016 reservation stir," said anxious Sangwan, hoping that law would prevail on Monday.

Rohtak-based activist and member of the central committee of All India Democratic Women's Association, Jagmati Sangwan, too found the recent turmoil reminiscent of last year's violence.

Vinod, a local, compared the current situation in Rohtak with last year's violent protests by Jats for reservation. He said that security forces were on the ground last year too, but a mob would appear out of nowhere and tear the place down in no time. "Even recalling those scenes gives me a shudder," the apprehensive shopkeeper said.

The Rohtak jail, where Singh is lodged has, in 2006, confined controversial 'godman' Sant Rampalji Maharaj of Satlok Ashram. Former jail superintendent Shish Pal said he was put behind bars after violence had broken out in the aftermath of his comments against the Arya Samaj.

The Dera chief has been convicted on two counts for rape (Section 376 IPC), criminal intimidation (Section 506 IPC) and Section 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman). IANS reports that the minimum punishment for rape is seven years which may extend till life (term). The other sections have imprisonment for two and one years respectively.

Ram Rahim may be jailed for seven years

However, according to the police roughly 5,000 followers are still inside the headquarters and the Army and paramilitary forces are appealing to them to vacate the place.

Women and children, who were also inside the sect's headquarters, are leaving for their homes. District authorities are hopeful that no untoward incident would take place tomorrow after pronouncement of the quantum of punishment since the followers are vacating the premises.

A day before sentencing of Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case, the Haryana Roadways deployed over 50 buses for transporting the followers.

The exodus of Dera Sacha Sauda followers from the sect's headquarters in Sirsa, which began on Saturday, continued on Sunday too, with the district administration providing buses to facilitate their departure.

"We have made appropriate arrangements to maintain law and order in the district," a senior police official said. The district administration is also providing buses to facilitate the departure of Dera followers.

Locals have been asked to stay indoors as a preventive measure.

Though the exodus of Dera followers from the sect's headquarters in Sirsa started Saturday, several supporters of the self-styled godman are still present in and around the sprawling premises.

Security has been beefed up to prevent any untoward incident in Sirsa, hours before the pronouncement of quantum of sentence against convicted Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on Monday.

"I want to assure my countrymen that people who take law into their own hands and are on the path of violent suppression whether it is a person or a group, neither this country nor any government will tolerate it. Each and every person will have to abide by the law; the law will fix accountability and the guilty will unquestionably be punished," Modi said.

Without naming any state, the prime minister said that when news of violence comes from a "part of the country, it is only natural to be concerned".

His remarks came during his 'Mann Ki Baat' programme on All India Radio, two days after violence in Haryana and elsewhere following the conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh led to the death of 36 persons.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said violence in the name of faith will not be tolerated and the guilty definitely punished.

Recap: Narendra Modi condemns Haryana violence, says killing in the name of faith not acceptable

The development comes after sedition and attempt to murder charges were slapped against seven persons, including five Haryana police personnel, who were part of the Dera Sacha.

"An FIR has been lodged in Panchkula police station following a statement by a newspaper reporter against two key functionaries of the Dera, namely Aditya Insan and Dhiman Insaan. The duo have been booked for sedition," he said.

Two key Dera functionaries have been booked for sedition on the basis of a news report, PTI quoted Haryana DGP B S Sandhu as saying. Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh, the top cop said the Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed the state police to verify the report carried by a Hindi daily regarding alleged instigation of Dera supporters by its five leaders.

The chairperson of Dera Sacha Sauda has appealed for peace and requested followers not to take law into their hand. They have posted the message on behalf of Gurmeet Ram Rahim in its mouthpiece publication SachKahoon.

Schools in Shamli to remain close on Monday as per the directions of district administration to maintain law and order in the district.

No movement of people, other than those authorized, will be allowed within a distance of 10 km from the prison premises, IANS reported.

The district jail premises, about 10 kilometres from Rohtak town, has been completely cordoned off by security forces, including para-military forces and Haryana Police. The Army has been kept on stand-by.

"There were two large tanks in the fire engine. A foul smell was emanating from the tanks. We have sent the substance recovered from the tanks to the Forensic Sciences Laboratory," Panchkula DCP Manbir Singh said.

A number of vehicles belonging to the sect head, including the fire tender, were impounded by the police on Friday.

A special investigation team has been set up to examine the substance recovered from a fire tender which was part of the motorcade of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, police said.

Political patronage of godmen has not begun with the BJP, as Modi-baiters imagine and would like us to believe. India has seen it since the days of Jawaharlal Nehru. Faith and even superstition are far too important for a politician to crack down on them. That was what stopped Nehru from making good the threat he heroically made in 1951 to ban astrologers after one of them "predicted" an India-Pakistan war.

Patronising godmen is not something unique to BJP

Despite her "socialist" and "progressive" pretensions, Indira Gandhi befriended godmen and godwomen. She wore a rosary of rudraksha beads for good luck, presented to her — as her personal physician KP Mathur disclosed in his book The Unseen Indira Gandhi — by her "spiritual guru" Anandmayi Ma. Indira’s association with fraudster Dhirendra Bhrahmachari and PV Narasimha Rao’s soft corner for godman Chandraswami are too well known.

Situation remains calm and under control along the Delhi-Gurugram Expressway. While IT companies located in Gurugram are closely monitoring the situation, they are expecting business as usual. Rohtak, where the sentencing is going to take place, is also reprtedly calm.

The condition in Sirsa, where the Dera headquarters is located, is now peaceful. There is heavy deployment of forces in every corner of the city.

An alert has been sounded in Baghpat and Shamli. The leaves of policemen have been cancelled. Heavy police force has been deployed on Haryana border. However, the situation in Muzaffarnagar remains peaceful.

Jagdeep Singh will be accompnaied by his reader and writer. CBI counsel HPS Verma and Ram Rahim's counsel Senior Advocate SK Garg Narwana will also be present during the sentencing.

Who will accompany Jagdeep Singh into the court?

According to News18, arguments on the quantum of sentencing may last for at least 60 to 90 minutes. As per the law, a minimum of 10 years jail sentence is likely for Ram Rahim Singh as the rape victim was a minor at the time of the incident. According to IANS, the sect chief has been convicted on two counts for rape (Section 376 IPC), criminal intimidation (Section 506 IPC) and Section 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman).

What is likely to happen during the sentencing?

Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) remains imposed in all districts of Haryana. Columns of Army are doing flag march continuously," the statement added.

"As per report dated 28 August, of DGP Control Room, Haryana, total casualties have been 35 with 17 in Panchkula, six in Sirsa and 12 in Chandigarh and total number of injured is 204," the Ministry said in a statement.

The Home Ministry said on Monday the situation in Haryana three days after the conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, was still tense but under control.

ANI is reporting that home minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, home secretary, director, Intelligence Bureau and other home ministry officials are present at a meeting to discuss the security situation in Haryana.

Meeting under way in North Block over Haryana crisis

Media has been stopped from entering the Dera campus in Sirsa. While curfew has been imposed in the city, the situation remains calm. Out of fear of a police action at the Dera campus later in the afternoon, many are leaving the campus since morning. An estimated 10,000-12,000 people are still stuck inside the Ashram.

News18 reports that dozens of children were released from Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa. The report also notes that primary treatment was provided to the kids with the help of Child Protection team. The children are now shifted to an unknown location.

News18 reported that curfew will be imposed in Punjab's Malota town from 1 pm to 7 pm on Monday, while prohibitory orders will be issued in Faridakot.

While BSF has set up bunkers outside the prison, about 2,400 personnel, have been deployed in the vicinity of the jail. About 1,800 soldiers of the Army are also on standby, reports NDTV.

Ram Rahim's Sirsa ashram likely to be raided after his sentencing, reports NDTV

"It was in 2007 that this case was handed over to me by two senior officials and I was asked to close it," Narayanan said. The former CBI officer said for him it was just like any other case.

Speaking to IANS, now 67-year-old M. Narayanan, who retired in 2009 as joint director of the Central Bureau of Investigation, said he was lucky to be away from Delhi when the Dera chief's conviction was finally taking place.

A former CBI officer who nailed Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh said on Monday that two senior officials a decade back handed him the case with specific orders "to close it".

Haryana ADGP ( Law & Order) Muhammad Akil told reporters that the judge Jagdeep Singh is expected to arrive around 2 pm and not before. "The situation in Rohtak is under control and we expect the same even after the court order today," Akil added.

Gurdas Singh Salwara, who was captured on camera carrying a suit case that belonged to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim after his conviction in a rape case on Friday, was sacked a day later, according to media reports.

The Dera also insisted the followers to change their surnames to 'insan'. It was seen as a rule devised to spread across the message that the 'Dera' was more respectful of humanity than any other quality. No wonder then that the Dera had a substantial following among the people from the lower rungs of the much abhorred caste hierarchy. Apart from a liberal atmosphere, the Dera also seemed to have the promise of a new social status to its followers.

Honeypreet was not allowed to be with Ram Rahim after conviction, says journalist

The Senior Superintendents of Police in these districts have also been given a free hand in promulgating Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) in case they felt the situation on the ground demanded it, the official added.

A police spokesman said on Monday that directives have been issued to all concerned district police chiefs to ensure that there was no breach in law and order and peace was maintained in the region.

An alert has been sounded in all districts of western Uttar Pradesh ahead of the sentencing of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on Monday.

Just hours before the sentencing, Dera, a diabetic, has complained of uneasiness, News18 reported. According to the report, vivil surgeon Deepa has gone into Rohtak jail premises followed by an ambulance.

PTI reported that villagers in Shahpur Beghu, 500 metres from the sprawling headquarters of the Dera, said they were fully prepared to face violent followers of the self-styled godman who was convicted of rape on 25 August.

Fearing violence after Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's sentencing in a rape case on Monday, a village close to the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters readied itself to face angry followers with a stockpile of stones, sticks, bricks and iron rods.

In India, Baba-dom is like a ponzi scheme. It thrives on the simple formula of everybody trying to benefit at the cost of others down the multi-level chain. Babas benefit from the fear, superstition and blind faith of the followers, disciples benefit from the influence and power of the Baba, and politicians, the ones expected to stop this rotten chain, benefit from it by using the Baba and his captive base for electoral gains.

SK Garg Narwana, the counsel of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh arrived at the Sunaria jail along with six other lawyers. They have reached the destination by road with police security.

Except media, other people are not allowed near the jail premises. Nevertheless, the media is stopped 1.5 kiolmetres away from the jail. So, not much of a hullabaloo. Additionally, mobile internet has also been banned.

The Indian Express quoted a senior Punjab Police official saying that a’youth brigade’ was formed several days before the 25 August verdict to trigger violence in Punjab if the judgment goes against Dera Sacha Sauda chief.

"Our village will stand like a wall; if Dera supporters come near the jail. Even if the administration fails, we will not let Dera supporters come near our village. We don't know who this Baba is." Prakash Budhwar told News18.

Head of Sonaria gaon says they are ready to defend village

CBI Special Court judge Jagdeep Singh has arrived in a chopper. He will reach the special court inside the jail premises in a few minutes.

News18 reports that the hearing has begun. Counsels from both sides are already present in the makeshift court inside Rohtak jail.

Gurmeet Ram Rahim breaks down in court as the quantum of punishment is being read out

Meanwhile, Haryana Police will file a status report on the violence, reports India Today.

Just moments before the quantum of punishment will be out, violence has broken out in Sirsa. NDTV is reporting that two vehicles have been set on fire by Dera supporters.

Ram Rahim to be sent for medical examination

Ram Rahim Singh breaks down in tears after verdict, refuses to leave court

Apparently, the Dera chief broke down after hearing the verdict and wept as he dropped down to the floor. He had to be forcefully removed from the court as the Dera chief refused to accompany the cops escorting him for medical checkups and further formalities.

Punjab CM says people must accept court order, appeals for peace from Dera followers

After breaking down in tears and refusing to leave the court premises, Gurmeet Ram Rahim has now reportedly complained of chest pain. Medical tests are already underway and if the Dera chief is declared fit, he will be handed the prison uniform and taken to the cell allocated to him.

Singh hails from Haryana and was designated as the judge of the CBI special court last year.

In September last year, Jagdeep Singh was hailed as a Good Samaritan when he saved the lives of four people who had been seriously injured in a road accident.

The judge was flown in especially for the sentencing wherein his chopper was made to land inside the jail premises. But this is not the judge’s first brush with fame.

No reports from violence so far since quantum of sentence announced; Dera supporters being ferried out of Sirsa HQ

Then there is a case of disappearance of a Dera manager named Fakir Chand. Another case against him is of forcing some sewadars in Dera to undergo castration. Now that Ram Rahim is in jail, there is a possibility that more eyewitnesses may come forward to testify against him in the ongoing cases.

Ram Rahim Singh is a suspect in the murder of Ranjit Singh, which is being investigated by the CBI. Singh too was murdered in 2002. In both these cases trial is in advance stage.

Ram Rahim Singh’s problems are going to compound in weeks and months to come. He is accused in serious crime cases. Two such cases are of his alleged complicity in the murder of journalist Ramchandra Chatrapati, who ran a local newspaper in Sirsa called `Poora Sach.’Chatrapati was killed in October 2002 after he had published a series of reports on rape of a woman follower by the Dera chief.

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and the slew of cases against self-styled godman

Within the Dera, Jasmeet is called shehzada and is regarded as a good person. But for his appointment, Ram Rahim will have to break a convention which specifies succession outside the family.

Insider sources in the Sirsa Dera told Firstpost that Ram Rahim's son Jasmeet, who is married to former Punjab Congress legislator Harminder Singh Jassi's daughter, has an advantage with the Dera chief having anointed him successor in 2007.

Who will succeed Gurmeet Ram Rahim? Will it be his son Jasmeet Singh, the so-called daughter Honeypreet Insaan, who is part of the coterie in the Sirsa ashram or a dark horse from the management which takes care of day-to-day affairs of the Dera?

"Turbo charged cars moved in top speed, doors opened like lightning, armed guards at regular interval changed swipe cards for further journey. I was driven in pitch dark tunnels lighting up from the friction of car tyres. And eventually, I was ushered into a room where he sat on the throne like Jabba the Hut (of Star Wars fame)."

The Dera leader, said Amit Sehgal, a farmer, who lost his 20 acres of land to Singh’s sect, deliberately created an image of invincibility around himself and lived in his specially made Kali Goofa (Black Cave). Sehgal said he could enter the cave (read home) only once. The place resembled like the