Chandigarh: A day before a CBI court in Panchkula pronounces its verdict in a rape case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
Singh has been lodged in the Rohtak jail following his conviction in August in two rape cases. Tight security arrangements, including para-military forces and Haryana Police personnel, were seen in Panchkula town, especially around the court complex in Sector 1.
Security arrangements were tightened around the prison complex near Rohtak and in Sirsa district, where the headquarters of the sect are located.
The cases, related to the murder of Sirsa-based journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati was shot in October, 2002 after the evening newspaper 'Poora Sach', published an anonymous letter that women alleging sexual exploitation by the sect head at the Dera headquarters and he died later.
Another Former Dera manager Ranjit Singh was also allegedly shot dead the same year. He was allegedly murdered for his suspected role in the circulation of the anonymous letter by the victims allegedly by functionaries and followers of the sect were listed for final arguments on Saturday in the court of special CBI judge Jagdeep Singh.
The 'guru of bling' has also been accused of forcing 400 of his followers to undergo castration so they could "get closer to God". The same court on August 25, convicted Ram Rahim on two counts of rape of his female disciples. He was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment by the CBI court on August 28.
