The special CBI court in Panchkula on Friday pronounced Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh guilty in a 2002 rape case and ordered him to be taken into judicial custody. He will be lodged in Ambala jail, according to initial reports.
The court will pronounce the quantum of sentence on 28 August.
Dera Chief #RamRahimSingh found guilty of rape: Heavy security near Panchkula’s Special CBI Court #RamRahimVerdict pic.twitter.com/cdwvtPIhtk
— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2017
He was held guilty of raping two women followers in a case dating back to 2002 at the headquarters of his Dera Sacha Sauda group in the northern town of Sirsa.
The verdict triggered angry protests by his supporters who had gathered in their thousands outside the court to protest his innocence
Here are the latest updates:
Supporters resort to violence
Stone pelting has been reported in Sirsa by angry Dera Sacha Sauda supporters, according to reports. Heavy lathi charge, tear gas, water cannons being used by security personnel to disperse Dera followers outside the court.
Malout Railway Station & petrol pump set on fire by protesters in Punjab post #RamRahimVerdict, similar incidents also reported in Bathinda
— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2017
Media vans attacked
Television showed pictures of many media vans with a cracked windscreen.
Our reporter on the scene, @MnshaP: Dera followers have attacked OB vans of media channels like @ndtv, @TimesNow etc. in Sec 4, Panchkula
— newslaundry (@newslaundry) August 25, 2017
#MSGConvicted — Mayhem in Panchkula, Dera protesters attack cars, media persons, and media OB vans. @SubhajitSG with the details pic.twitter.com/59sJCgijlE
— News18 (@CNNnews18) August 25, 2017
#RamRahimVerdict | NDTV staff, OB van, car attacked. Violence in Panchkula after Dera chief #RamRahimSingh convicted https://t.co/lg0cXOtT2G pic.twitter.com/krA1Hkikq2
— NDTV (@ndtv) August 25, 2017
#BabaRamRahimVerdict #RamRahimSingh followers smash OB vans of TV news channels Times Now and Aaj Tak. https://t.co/JQJlKZeiOk pic.twitter.com/l13tWgXeNQ
— ABP News (@abpnewstv) August 25, 2017
Delhi and Gurgaon put on high alert
Delhi on high alert as violence spreads in Haryana after Dera chief #RamRahimSingh convicted by #Panchkula courthttps://t.co/VK3WltpE6z pic.twitter.com/gbN5kAQNiv
— NDTV (@ndtv) August 25, 2017
Punjab CM appeals for peace
I appeal to all Punjabis to maintain peace and harmony in the state. We won’t allow anyone to disturb the peace & tranquility of our state. pic.twitter.com/YlUeJH1mZk
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) August 25, 2017
Meanwhile, mobile internet services had also been suspended in the states of Haryana and Punjab to stop people from spreading rumors and causing unrest, senior government official Ram Niwas said.
