Dera chief case: Home Ministry apprised of situation by Punjab, Haryana

Chandigarh, Aug 16: Top officials of Punjab and Haryana on Wednesday apprised the Home Ministry of the situation in the two states ahead of an impending court’s verdict in a rape case against Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

The Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police (DGPs) of the two states met Home Secretary-designate Rajiv Gauba for over half an hour on the law and order measures put in place to handle any situation, a Ministry official told IANS on the condition of anonymity.

Ministry sources said the state officials sought central forces in case the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court’s verdict went against the sect chief.

The sect chief, who has lakhs of followers in Punjab, Haryana and other states, has been accused by a former female follower of raping her more than once inside the sprawling Dera campus on the outskirts of Sirsa town in Haryana, 260 km from Chandigarh.

The sources said the Ministry did not call anybody for the meeting but it was Punjab which had requested for the same.

After the meeting with Gauba, Haryana’s DGP B.S. Sandhu told the media that he along with other officials informed the Ministry about the current situation in their state.

“We informed the Home Ministry that both the states are ready to handle any situation. Law and order is under control and we will not let anyone disrupt it. Police of both the states is ready,” Sandhu said, adding the Home Ministry was also on the same page.

A special court in Panchkula in Haryana, adjoining Chandigarh, has been hearing the case against Ram Rahim Singh for the last several years.