Panchkula’s Special CBI Court on 25 August found Sacha Sauda Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh guilty of rape. The quantum of punishment would be announced on 28 August.
Punjab and Haryana have been on edge over the past few days in anticipation of the verdict.
The case, which dates back to 2002, was based on the accusations of two women who used to be members of the DSS. The women alleged they were sexually exploited by the spiritual leader at Sirsa, the headquarters of the sect.
It was estimated that over one lakh followers of Gurmeet Ram Rahim congregated in the Haryana town ahead of the verdict. Security was stepped up in both the states as large-scale violence was anticipated in case of a conviction.
Police has used tear gas to handle the growing mobs in Panchkula. Media vehicles were vandalized by Dera supporters, some OB vans were set ablaze. Curfew has been imposed in Bathinda, Sangrur, Patiala. New Delhi has also been put on high alert.
Stay tuned for ground reports and live updates in the ‘Baba’ Ram Rahim Singh Insan rape verdict on out live blog.
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