Section 144 has been imposed in Punjab ahead of the CBI court’s verdict on the rape case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

Schools and colleges in the state would remain shut on 25 August. The Haryana government too has notified that the above-mentioned day would be a gazetted holiday in government offices and educational institutions.

Over 40,000 followers of the controversial godman have gathered at Naam Charcha Ghar in Sector 23 of Panchkula.

The Chandigarh police have announced that the Chandigarh Cricket Stadium would be converted to a “temporary jail” on the date of the hearing, and would be used to detain unruly Dera followers.