Ram Rahim Singh rape case: Tight security ahead of sentencing; curfew remains enforced in Sirsa

On August 25, Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was convicted in a 2002 rape case.

Pic courtesy: PTI

Chandigarh: A day before Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's sentencing in a rape case, Haryana Police on Sunday said tight security was in place in the state and the Army was also on the standby.

Director General of Police BS Sandhu said that the priority for now was to secure Rohtak since the court judgement on the quantum of punishment would be delivered in the jail premises there.

"Our priority for now is the court hearing, to keep that place safe and secure. Sufficient security arrangements have been made. The Army has also been requisitioned and asked to be on standby," he said.

"We hope the court proceedings will be conducted without problem and peace maintained. But if there is any disturbance, or hooliganism, we are ready to deal with it," the DG said. 

However, he said that "curfew now remains enforced in Sirsa only."

Tight security in Rohtak:

On the other hand, ADG (Law and Order) Muhammad Akil said he had toured the jail area in Rohtak and expressed satisfaction with the arrangements.

"The security arrangements are in place. If any incident takes place, we will take action as per the demand of the situation," he said, as per IANS.

Rohtak Range IG Navdeep Virk, who has been taking stock of the security situation said today that "there has been a complete clampdown on Dera centres (Naam Charcha Ghars) and all important functionaries who could gather people have been put under preventive detention in the entire state".

Virk said that tight security arrangements have been made so that no untoward incident takes place after the sentence is pronounced by the court tomorrow.

Rohtak Deputy Commissioner, Atul Kumar, said the situation in the district was completely under control and the police and paramilitary forces were fully prepared to tackle any situation.

Kumar said every person entering Rohtak from outside was being checked at several places, PTI reported.

If during checking, any person fails to produce proof of identity or specify reason for visiting the district, then he would be taken into custody, he said in an official release.

'Nakas' have been set up at borders of Rohtak district and the Duty Magistrate has also been deputed.

Moreover, a special cyber cell has been set up, which will keep an eye on the social media constantly, as per ANI.

The broadband and Internet lease lines in premises of the Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa have been suspended till August 29. However, voice calls on mobile networks are not affected.

Section 144 will remain in effect till further orders.

Mobile Internet services will also remain suspended in Haryana and Punjab till Tuesday. A notification to block mobile Internet services and data services had been issued earlier.

Meanwhile, Haryana's authorities have said that all the schools, colleges and other educational institutions in Panchkula, Rohtak, Kaithal and Ambala will remain closed tomorrow.

On August 25, CBI Special Judge Jagdeep Singh had held the Dera sect head, who has lakhs of followers mainly in Punjab and Haryana, guilty in a 2002 rape case. 

More than 30 people were killed in violence that erupted after the conviction.

Ram Rahim was shifted to a prison near Rohtak under heavy security.

The quantum of punishment in the case will be pronounced at a special court being set up in the prison premises.

The judge will be flown to Rohtak for announcing the sentence.

(With Agency inputs)