Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, self-styled godman and chief of the religious cult Dera Sacha Sauda has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by the special CBI court today. A fine of Rs 15 lakh has also been imposed on him in each of the two cases.
CBI Judge Jagdeep Singh, who holds the court in Panchkula, near Chandigarh, pronounced the sentence in a special courtroom set up inside the Sunaria jail where Ram Rahim, the 50-year-old self-styled godman, is lodged since last Friday after he was convicted of rape by a special CBI Court in Panchukla on Friday.
A special court room was made within the Sunaria jail where the judge was flown in by a special helicopter.
Rohtak DC had yesterday assured of a vigil and tightened security arrangements. "We currently have 23 factions of paramilitary forces who have been deployed. The Army has also been alerted about the situation. The minute we get to know anything, they will be summoned in an hour. So far everything is functioning normally. However, we are keeping our patrolling constant throughout the night as well," he had said.
LIVE UPDATES:
18:47- Judge announced 10 years imprisonment & Rs.15 lakh fine each in 2 cases and Rs.14 lakh each to be paid to both victims, Ram Rahim Singh's lawyer tells ANI
18:27- Safe passage has been given to people inside Dera to leave peacefully; If court orders sealing of complex then it will be done says DIG SSB, according to ANI.
17:45- Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar has called for an emergency meeting and appealed for peace to the Dera followers especially.
17:24- There has been no incident of violence after the sentencing and work is on to identify those behind instigating violence, says Haryana Police.
16:30- Satisfactory; been saying since long Ram Rahim Singh is enemy of our society: Anshul Chhatrapati, son of slain journalist who exposed Dera.
16: 18- Army conducts flag march in Haryana 's Sirsa after sentencing of Ram Rahim Singh in rape case against him.
15:58- Haryana CM ML Khattar calls an emergency meeting of senior state officials, party leaders and ministers at his residence in Chandigarh.
15:40- There is total normalcy, our forces are on their toes. Will not let any untoward incident happen: Punjab CM after Ram Rahim Singh sentence.
15:37- Medical examination of Ram Rahim Singh is being done, after this he will be given a jail uniform and will be allotted a cell in jail.
Special CBI judge Jagdeep Singh who was flown to the Jat-dominated Sunaria's jail pronounced the sentence.
15:30- I appeal to Dera followers to peacefully abide by the judgement today: Vipassana Insaan,Dera chairperson
15:25- 2 cars torched by Dera Sacha Sauda supporters in Phoolka area of Haryana's Sirsa.
15:20- Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh holds security review meeting with DGP,Chief Secy and other senior officials.
14:52: Defence argues Ram Rahim Singh is a social worker who has worked for welfare of people, so judge should take a lenient view.
14:40- CBI seeks punishment of 10 years for rape convict Ram Rahim Singh.
14:40- Special CBI judge Jagdeep Singh has allotted 10 minutes each to both sides to put forth their arguments
14: 38- Arguments begin at Rohtak's Sonaria jail for quantum of sentence in Ram Rahim Singh rape case.
14:15- Haryana special CBI judge Jagdeep Singh reaches makeshift court in Rohtak's Sonaria jail.
13:54- Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's lawyer S.K Narwana reaches makeshift court in Rohtak Jail.
The Special Forces and the police are at alert and barricades have been put at about three kilometers from the jail where Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is locked up, ahead of the court proceedings against the rape convict.
11:45- Special CBI judge Jagdeep Singh leaves from Panchkula, expected to reach Rohtak by 12:25 pm.
11:00- High-level meeting held to discuss security situation. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has directed National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the Director, Intelligence Bureau, Dineshwar Sharma to continuously monitor the situation in Punjab and Haryana, ahead of the court proceedings against rape convict Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
11.00- Flag march conducted by police and Rapid Action Force in Barnala.
10.30- 100 objectionable items including batons recovered from Sonipat's Bahalgarh Dera.
The IGP Navdeep Singh Virk revealed that they have recovered around 100 objectionable items including batons from Sonipat's Bahalgarh Dera, adding that objectionable items were kept hidden in fields for which interrogation is underway.
10.00- Shoot on sight can be implemented if any unidentified person poses a threat to peace.
If any unidentified person tries to go near high security area at Sunaria jail complex, 'shoot at sight' can be implemented, confirmed IGP Rohtak Range.
9.45- 23 Dera followers arrested in Punjab's Sangrur till now.
9.00- Haryana and Punjab on high alert.
Haryana and Punjab were on high alert today with elaborate security arrangements in place, particularly in sensitive areas to deal with any situation following the sentencing.
(With inputs from agencies)
