SIT arrests key dera official, Ram Rahim’s gunman

PANCHKULA: The special investigating team (SIT) probing the Panchkula violence made two big catches in the past 24 hours — vice chairman of Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda, Dr PR Nain, and Chamkaur Singh, gunman of dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim.

Nain was arrested on Friday night from Gohana for his alleged role in inciting violence on August 25 last year, soon after the CBI court convicted Ram Rahim for raping his female devotees. As many as 36 lives were lost in Panchkula and six in Sirsa during violence.

He was remanded in one-day police custody by a Panchkula court on Saturday.

Police officials said Nain was part of the conspiracy behind the violence along with dera chief’s adopted daughter Honeypreet and other dera members, who are currently facing trial. A police official said that his arrest could help police in knowing more details about the planning behind the violence, besides clues about the whereabouts of Aditya Insan, who police believed, had major role in inciting violence.

SIT also nabbed Ram Rahim’s gunman Chamkaur Singh, who was alleged to be involved in dera chief’s escape bid soon after his conviction from the Panchkula court.

He has been made accused in FIR number 336 in which 20 gunmen of the dera chief are named. The local court had in August framed charges against them under various sections for attack on police officials to help the dera chief run away from police custody. They are currently facing trial.