524 People Arrested; AK-47, Rifles, Pistols Recovered From Ram Rahim’s Followers: Haryana Govt

Massive loss of public and private properties were reported as Panchkula burnt following the court verdict.

Chandigarh, August 26: The Haryana Police has arrested 524 people over the violent protest and filed two sedition cases against the followers of Dera Sacha Sauda in Sector 5 of Panchkula. An AK-47, a mouser and two rifles have been confiscated from the followers, Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi said. Thirty one people lost their lives and hundred others were injured in the violent protest following the conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in 2002 rape case.

“An AK-47, a mouser, two rifles and five pistols have been confiscated. We have registered cases under sedition charges,” said Chief Secretary of Haryana Government, DS Dhesi.

Massive loss of public and private properties were reported as Panchkula burnt following the court verdict. Violent protests were reported from several parts of Haryana, Punjab, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Media persons were attacked, their vans were damaged, vehicles were vandalised, railway stations were set on fire as protesters took law into their hands.

Meanwile, the Haryana government has launched a crackdown on other ashrams of Ram Rahim. “People who died were Dera supporters. 36 Dera Ashrams sealed an Dera headquarter at Sirsa is being vacated,” Haryana BJP Incharge Anil Jain.

On the reports that Army, Rapid Action Force and Police have entered the premises of Dera Sacha Sauda headquarter, Dhesi said, “The reports that the Army has entered Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters is false. The situation is in control.”

Refuting reports of Ram Rahim being given VVIP treatment at Rohtak jail, Dhesi said, “Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has not been extended any special treatment. He is being treated and given food in the same manner as other prisoners get.” According to reports, Ram Rahim was lodged in a special cell, given bottled mineral water and an assistant to stay with him.

Ram Rahim’s Z-Plus security was withdrawn following his conviction, Dhesi said.

On Thursday, Ram Rahim had made a dramatic entry at the court, driving 250 kilometres to Panchkula from Sirsa in a bulletproof car. There were about 200 cars in his convoy as ardent devotees followed him. “Only five cars were allowed to enter the premises of Dera headquarters. His daughter accompanied him to Rohtak,” Haryana DGP BS Sandhu said.

“He was taken through a helicopter purely on security considerations. Helicopter was arranged by the Haryana government, they had paid for it,” Dhesi added. Ram Rahim was flown to Rohtak jail after Justice Jagdeep Singh gave the verdict.

The rape case against Ram Rahim dates back to 2002. Two women followers of Ram Rahim sent anonymous letters to then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, accusing the Dera chief of raping them and other sadhvis in his sprawling Dera campus. Following the letter, a case was registered by the CBI against the self-styled godman after allegations of sexual exploitation of the sadhvis.

During the probe, the CBI questioned the sadhvis who had left the Dera. The sadhvis reportedly made shocking allegations against Ram Rahim and two of them accused him of having raped them on account of ‘purity’. The hearing in the case has been on since 2007 when the CBI filed a chargesheet against the Dera chief.

He also faces trial in another case involving the murder of a journalist, Ram Chander Chhatrapati and his follower Ranjit Singh in 2002.