20 years in prison for Ram Rahim, ` 30L fine

JUSTICE DONE Dera chief sentenced in two rape cases, no major trouble in Sirsa and Rohtak after punishment

Self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was sentenced on Monday to 20 years in jail and a fine of Rs 30 lakh for raping two women 15 years ago after a CBI court ignored the Dera Sacha Sauda chief’s last-minute plea for leniency.

“It is 20 years in jail for Ram Rahim as two sentences will run consecutively with fine of Rs 30 lakh (Rs 15 lakh in each case),”Gurmeet Singh’s lawyer S.K. Garg Narwana said. Earlier, there was some confusion over the quantum of punishment given by the judge.

The sentence was read out inside the heavily-guarded premises of Rohtak jail in Haryana by CBI judge Jagdeep Singh, who sentenced Ram Rahim under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (rape), Section 506 (criminal intimidation) and Section 509 (insulting the modesty of a woman).

Reports said that the 50year-old

flamboyant convict, who commands a millionsstrong following, broke down in court and had to be dragged out. Minutes before the verdict, two vehicles were set on fire in Sirsa.

Gurmeet Singh was pronounced guilty for the rapes on Friday by the CBI court in Haryana’s Panchkula. Minutes after his conviction, hundreds of his followers went on a rampage, burning down buildings, railway stations and vehicles.

The ensuing violence singed five states and left 38 people dead and 250 injured with the high court slamming the Haryana government for allowing 200,000 Dera followers to gather at Panchkula.

On Monday, the court set aside the defence team’s argument that Gurmeet Singh should be shown leniency because he was a social worker. As the verdict was being read, Ram Rahim reportedly said he was feeling unwell. A medical examination was ordered and ambulances were seen driving into the jail premises.