Hindustan Times (Chandigarh)

Scribe murder: Security beefed up in Sirsa ahead of tomorrow’s verdict

- Bhaskar Mukherjee

SIRSA : Ahead of the Central Bureau of Investigat­ion (CBI) court’s hearing on January 11, where it’s likely to pronounce its verdict against Sirsa dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapat­i’s murder case, the local police with additional force on Wednesday took out a flag march covering key spots, including Dera Sacha Sauda headquarte­rs, in a bid to maintain law and order.

The march was taken out by Sirsa deputy superinten­dent of police (DSP) Ravinder Tomar.

As many as 12 police companies have been called in, that include a significan­t number of women police officials, to control any law and order situation.

Sirsa DSP Ravinder Tomar said, “We have laid 14 nakas to keep tabs on any suspicious movement.”

“We are ready to deal with any kind of situation. Deputy commission­er Prabhjot Singh has already imposed prohibitor­y orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CRPC). Special commando force will be deployed as well near the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarte­rs,” the DSP added.

AS MANY AS 12 POLICE COMPANIES HAVE BEEN CALLED IN, THAT INCLUDE A SIGNIFICAN­T NUMBER OF WOMEN POLICE OFFICIALS, TO CONTROL ANY LAW AND ORDER SITUATION

VICTIM’S KIN HOPING FOR JUSTICE

Anshul Chhatrapat­i, elder son of slain journalist Ram Chander said he was hoping that the court would deliver justice as his family had been struggling for the past more than 17 years.

Ram Chander Chhatrapat­i was shot at a point-blank range at his residence in Sirsa on October 24, 2002, months after his newspaper ‘Poora Sach’ published an anonymous letter alleging how women finding solace in the dera as sadhvis were raped by Ram Rahim.

“We continued to take out editions of ‘Poora Sach’ even after my father's death. Due to

some issues, we discontinu­ed the paper in 2014. My father died on November 21, 2002. The prime accused behind his death was Ram Rahim at whose behest Kuldeep and Nirmal had fired on my father,” Anshul added.

The dera chief is already in jail in rape case, while shooters Chhatrapat­i moves high court for CBI probe

November 10, 2003: High Court orders CBI investigat­ion

December 9, 2003: CBI registers an FIR

July 31, 2007: CBI files chargeshee­t in special CBI court

Kuldeep and Nirmal, besides former dera manager Krishan Lal, are facing murder charges.

The CBI court had on Tuesday allowed the Haryana Police applicatio­n that cited law and order problem if Ram Rahim was brought to the court in person for hearing.

 ?? HT PHOTO ?? The Sirsa police took out a flag march covering key spots, including Dera Sacha Sauda headquarte­rs, in a bid to maintain law and order on Wednesday.
HT PHOTO The Sirsa police took out a flag march covering key spots, including Dera Sacha Sauda headquarte­rs, in a bid to maintain law and order on Wednesday.

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