CBI court verdict in rape case against dera chief on Aug 25

150 companies of central forces sought; leaves of cops in Haryana, Punjab cancelled; thousands of dera followers gather in Sirsa

CHANDIGARH: A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Panchkula will pronounce its verdict in an alleged rape case against Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on August 25.

After hearing final arguments in the 15-year-old case, special CBI judge Jagdeep Singh reserved orders for August 25 and asked the dera chief, who was earlier questioned through videoconferencing due to security reasons, to remain present in the court at 2.30pm on the said date.

Meanwhile, Punjab and Haryana have sounded alert fearing volatile law and order situation if the verdict goes against the dera head. Governments of both the states have sought central forces from the Union home ministry. The Haryana Police have cancelled leaves of its personnel and the government has sought 150 companies of paramilitary forces to prevent any untoward situation. “The leaves of police personnel has also been cancelled,” said Haryana DGP BS Sandhu. Punjab Police have also cancelled leaves of its staff in districts bor- dering Haryana.

On Thursday, thousands of dera followers gathered at the Sirsa district courts from where Ram Rahim was to appear before the CBI court through videoconferencing. The dera chief, who enjoys a Z-plus security cover, however, did appear.

The trial in the case began in 2008, nearly six years after CBI booked the dera chief in December 2002 for allegedly raping two female followers. In its chargesheet, the CBI claimed to have come across more victims allegedly raped by the dera chief but the agency could trace only two who gave their statement during the trial.

The dera chief’s counsel continued to question the testimonies of the victims. On Thursday, he again reiterated that the CBI case against his client was baseless.