Dera search operations: 'Gurmeet Ram Rahim's plastic currency' found in markets

The search and sanitisation operations have started inside the Dera Saccha Sauda headquarters

'Gurmeet Ram Rahim's plastic currency'

Sirsa: The search and sanitisation operations has started inside the Dera Saccha Sauda headquarters at Haryana's Sirsa on Friday morning. The raids, led by the Punjab and Haryana police, are expected to last over a week, sources told Zee Media.

A CBI special court sentenced Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim to 20 years in prison after in 2002 rape cases. The 50-year-old self-styled godman was held guilty of raping two 'sadhvis' or female followers 15 years ago inside the Dera premises.

With the raids expected to reveal shocking secrets, here are the live updates of the search operations inside Sirsa's Dera headquarters:

08 September 2017

13:21 IST

Mobile internet services have been suspended with immediate effect in Sirsa district to prevent any disturbance of public order and to curb spread of rumours in view of the "sanitisation" exercise being carried out at the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters.
Mobile Internet services, including 2G, 3G, 4G, CDMA and GPRS, all SMS services and all dongle services provided on mobile networks, except voice calls, in Sirsa district shall remain suspended till 23:59 hrs of September 10, the order issued by the Haryana government's Home Department said.

13:12 IST

In a shocking development, the police search party found "Gurmeet Ram Rahim's plastic currency" in markets near Dera Sacha Sauda's headquarter in Sirsa.

11:59 IST

Hard disks, laptops, computers, and cash has been seized from the Dera Headquarter.

Several rooms also have been sealed. "A forensic team has been called from Roorkee," says Deputy Director Satish Mehra.

10:36 IST

There are 12 main gates to enter the Dera. The Shah Satnam hospital is one of the gates.

10:35 IST

A Hyderabad-based couple has reached Sirsa in search of their son Shadab.
Shadab has been missing since 2009.

The old couple claims that they saw their son on television, participating in the deadly Panchkula riots on August 28.

10:18 IST

The search operation has reached Shah Satnam hospital gate. 

10:10 IST

Search operations begin inside the popular Kashish restaurant. 

10:07 IST

Here's how the search operation are proceeding inside the Dera:

1. First, the canine squad entered the premises. 

2. The sniper dogs gave a green light, following which the bomb squad entered.

3. Once the bomb squad gives a No Objection Certificate (NOC), the National Security Guard team will enter.

09:58 IST

The Dera headquarters has been divided into several zones and sectors for the search operations. 

A magistrate is overseeing the raids in each sector.

09:21 IST

Bomb squads and sniper dogs enter the headquarters. 

09:15 IST

A former Haryana-based journalist has claimed that human skeletons likely to be found if excavation inside the Dera campus is carried out.

09:13 IST

The special investigation team (SIT) on Thursday revealed that Dera Sacha Sauda had pumped in at least Rs 5 crore to fuel violence in Panchkula.

Panchkula Dera branch head Chamkaur Singh, who's been missing since August 28, was the main person in procuring and spending the money which he had received from the Dera management.

09:11 IST

"Dera has always followed law. Appeal followers to maintain peace," said Dera Spokesperson Vipassana Insan as search operation continues inside Dera's Sirsa headquarters. 

09:11 IST

About 100 bank officials have also been roped in to conduct a thorough financial check inside the premises.

09:09 IST

The search and sanitisation operation on the massive 700-acre campus will be carried out with the aid of a satellite map. 

09:06 IST

Around 22 blacksmiths have been hired to break the numerous locks inside the Dera headquarters. 

09:04 IST

At least three JCB excavators and few tractors have entered the premises. 

#Haryana: JCB machine entering #DeraSachaSauda HQ in Sirsa; authorities have also called 10 blacksmiths inside the HQ as search ops continue pic.twitter.com/Vb7HrAWRwl

— ANI (@ANI) September 8, 2017

09:03 IST

While looking for Dera's chief cave, Zee News found luxurious castles, seven-star resorts, mini models of Paris' Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal and Disneyland and incomplete construction of an underwater villa and film city.

08:58 IST

Zee News Media on Wednesday entered the sprawling 700-acre Dera campus to locate the cave (gufa) where Singh allegedly conducted his 'misdeeds' and 'sexually' exploited women. 

08:56 IST

A K Pawar reaches Dera headquarters. Search operations formally commence

08:53 IST

On Thursday night, the security forces, intelligence agencies along with retired sessions judge AK Pawar put together a graphics-based plan on how to proceed with the raids.

08:52 IST

Dera search and sanitisation operation could easily more than a week, sources told Zee Media.

08:50 IST

Search operations are currently being led by the Punjab and Haryana police, under the supervision of retired session judge AK Pawar. Forty-one companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), accompanied by sniper dogs, will keep a strict vigil on security inside and outside the Dera. Curfew has been imposed in areas surrounding headquarters in Sirsa which will continue till search operations last. 

08:47 IST

A CBI special court on August 28 sentenced Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim to 20 years in prison for raping two sadhvis or female followers. Following his arrest, the court ordered the search operations of Dera headquarters.