Escape bid ‘definitely’ made, but IGP’s theory under lens

PANCHKULA: The town was already in turmoil when Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim was flown to Rohtak jail in a special chopper after conviction by a local CBI court in rape case last Friday. But different versions of what transpired when he was taken from the Panchkula court to a helipad in a cantonment is making the event more dramatic.

Speaking to media in Gurgaon on Wednesday, KK Rao, inspector general of police (IGP) of the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) for Haryana, said that after the self-styled godman was convicted he demanded a “red bag” that he had brought from Sirsa. “It was actually a signal for his men to spread the news of his conviction among supporters so they could resort to disturbance,” Rao told reporters, adding, “As the bag was taken out of the vehicle, sounds of teargas shells lobbed 2-3 km from the site were heard. It was then that we understood that there was some meaning.”

He then told media that police decided to make him sit in a vehicle driven by DCP Sumit Kumar (posted in Gurgaon) instead of the one he had arrived in. “On way, there was a bid to free him by his official guards but the team led by Sumit foiled the bid,” he said. When HT on Thursday called Rao, he refused to talk further.

However, state police chief, DGP BS Sandhu told HT that Rao was not part of dera chief’s escort after his conviction as he was posted in court’s outer periphery. “Whatever observation he has narrated is being investigated.”

He added that there was “definitely” an attempt to free the dera chief by his guards, who were arrested. The DGP further said police’s major concern at the time was to first bring the dera chief to court that day from Sirsa, and then shift him to jail after conviction — “which was achieved”.

Amid this cacophony, an official privy to details told HT, a handful of officials who were in command of security were aware of a route to take him to the cantonment. “But three vehicles, one of which had him, took another route, and that’s where his guards ambushed,” the officer said. DCP Sumit only said he had done “what was required”.