‘Protector Became Beast’: CBI Asks For Life Sentence For Ram Rahim

Singh was sent to Sunaria jail in Rohtak where he had been flown in by a special chopper on Friday, after being declared guilty of rape.

The judge awarded the 10-year jail term after hearing arguments on the quantum of sentence by prosecution and defence lawyers. The meeting comes two days after 38 people were killed in the aftermath of violence following Ram Rahim Singh’s conviction.

There were no immediate reports of violence. Thousands of Mr. Singh’s followers had gathered in Panchkula in Haryana State, where the verdict was announced.

Rohtak District Collector (DC) Atul Kumar also stated that if any anti-social elements are spotted trying to harm themselves or others, shoot at sight orders will be passed immediately.

A top police official said “multi-layered arrangements” had been made to prevent anybody from reaching the prison or enter Rohtak district itself.

Anshul Chhatrapati, the son of a journalist, who had first exposed sexual exploitation of female disciples by the sect chief in 2002, on Monday said that their stand against Ram Rahim has been vindicated following his conviction and imprisonment.

The high court had notified district jail at Sunaria as a place of sitting of CBI court of Additional District and Sessions Judge, Panchkula for the goal of hearing on the quantum of sentence and pronouncement of the sentence. He commands an estimated 50 million followers worldwide. In his movies “MSG: The Messenger of God” and “MSG2”, Singh wears dazzling costumes, rides motorcycle, and is seen sending villains flying. In his most recent film, he plays a secret agent armed with a twirled moustache and an assortment of swords to fight aliens and UFOs.

Army, state police and paramilitary are on high alert to avoid any untoward incidents. He was shot a few months after he published an anonymous letter narrating how women were being sexually exploited by Singh at the Dera headquarters in Sirsa.

Violent protests followed across his power base in Haryana which borders New Delhi, with police deploying tear gas and water cannon. The chief minister informed the Governor that of the 32 people killed in police firing in Panchkula on August 25, 12 were reported to be from Punjab.

Soon after the verdict, the followers went on a rampage, damaging public property, stoning security personnel and attacking and setting ablaze media vehicles and outdoor broadcast vans using petrol, which the supporters had previously stocked up.

The sect campaigns for vegetarianism and against drug addiction. It also organises blood-donation and tree-planting drives.

“Besides, the internet lease lines on the premises of the Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa have been suspended till August 29”. Many maintain private militias for their protection.

The rape conviction is not the guru’s only brush with the law.