Dera case chronology

APRIL 2002

Anonymous letter written to Punjab and Haryana HC chief justice complaining about the sexual exploitation of woman followers at Dera Sacha Sauda in Sirsa.

SEPTEMBER 2002

HC hands matter to CBI after district court indicates possibility of sexual exploitation.

DECEMBER 2002

CBI registers a case of rape and criminal intimidation against Gurmeet Ram Rahim, head of the Sirsa headquartered Dera Sacha Sauda.

JULY 2007

CBI files chargesheet against the Dera head in an Ambala court. The chargesheet refers to the sexual exploitation of two 'sadhvis'.

SEPTEMBER 2008

The special CBI court frames charges against Gurmeet under IPC sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation)

APRIL 2011

The case against the Dera chief transferred to Panchkula CBI court.

JULY 2017

Special CBI court orders daily hearing

AUGUST 17, 2017

Arguments of prosecution and defence concludes.

AUGUST 25, 2017

The special CBI court convicts Gurmeet.

Quantum of sentencing to be announced on August 28