Guru Ram Rahim Singh convicted in 2002 rape case

Panchkula:The special CBI court here on Friday convicted Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case dating back to 2002. Earlier, the Punjab & Haryana High Court asked the Dera’s lawyer SK Garg Narwana to convey to the sect’s followers not to indulge in any violence or breach of peace.

30 dead as followers go on a rampage AT LEAST 30 people were killed and more than 250 injured in widespread rioting after enraged followers of self-styed godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh went on a rampage to protest his conviction on Friday.

It must be mentioned here that it was in 2002 that the CBI filed a FIR against Ram Rahim Singh after an anonymous letter from a sadhvi accused the Dera chief of rape.

He will be kept in judicial custody and the quantum of punishment will, however, be announced on August 28.

According to The Tribune (TT), 31 people have died in the violence.

Violence after Gurmeet Ram Rahim verdict is the third incident of public’s direct confrontation with police and security forces. The Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court had ordered CBI probe into the matter and the court had moved a charge-sheet against Sirsa cult chief in July-2007.

Dilawar Insan, a spokesman for the Dera Sacha Sauda sect, appealed for calm, saying: ” I just want to request everyone to maintain peace at the moment.

The sect claims to have 50 million followers and runs a spiritual empire that promotes vegetarianism and campaigns against drug addiction.

Some media reports also stated that curfew has been imposed in Punjab’s Bathinda, Patiala, Mansa, Sangrur and Firozpur cities.

However, as per the media reports, situation is spiraling out of control as several TV channels’ OB Vans who were reporting from the spot came under attack.

Verma said there was no more gathering of supporters of the Dera chief in Delhi. Two empty rakes of Rewa Express at Anand Vihar Terminal railway station were set on fire and seeing this security was tightened at other railway stations. The headquarters is located in Sirsa district of Haryana, but there are over 46 ashrams across the country.