<p>Dera Sacha Sauda&nbsp;chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, an Indian 'godman' and convicted rapist who is serving a 20-year sentence, walked out of jail yet again on furlough on Tuesday (Aug 13) after petitions against it were dismissed. Singh will be out for 21 days.</p>

<p>He is serving jail for the rape of two women disciples at his ashram in Sirsa.</p>

<p>Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was released from Sunaria prison in Rohtak, a city in the northern state of Haryana, at 6.30 am local time, according to media reports.</p>

<p>He will spend time at an Ashram of Dera Sacha Sauda at Baghpat in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, the reports said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Significantly, his release took place two months ahead of the local assembly elections in Haryana.</p>

<p>Ram Rahim has been out of jail on parole or furloughs several times in the past since his conviction for rape in 2017. These temporary releases were often opposed in court, but failed.</p>

<p>The last plea was filed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee or SGPC.</p>

<p>The Punjab and Haryana High Court asked the prisons department to take a call, without &nbsp;“arbitrariness or favouritism”, while dismissing the petition.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Who is Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh?</strong></h2>

<p>Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is the chief of the spiritual group Dera Sacha Sauda, which is seen by many as a cult. At the height of his fame, the 56-year-old had hundreds of thousands of disciples, and was also an actor and film producer, with his followers claiming that the movies amassed 1 billion rupees.</p>

<p>He also released several music albums and music videos, which had gone viral at the time.</p>

<p>He was famous for his outlandish dressing style, as well as stunts including driving heavy bikes.</p>

<p>He was seen as a social reformer and organised massive medical camps for blood donation, and free check-ups. He is also known for mega drives for cleanliness and sanitation.</p>

<p>The Dera chief, who also called himself MSG, apparently short for Messenger of God, was sentenced to 20 years in jail for raping two of his followers at his ashram in Sirsa.</p>

<h2><strong>Ram Rahim Singh rape case</strong></h2>

<p>Since the early 2000s, several of Ram Rahim's female disciples had accused him of rape and molestation, but complaints by two women were the most prominent.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After a lengthy probe by Central Bureau of Investigation, a CBI court convicted Ram Rahim on 25 August 2017 of rape.</p>

<p>Soon, his followers went on a rampage in Haryana and several other northern cities, blocking traffic and setting public property and vehicles on fire. The violence spread even to the Indian capital New Delhi&nbsp;and the National Capital Region or NCR, and left several dead.</p>

<p>Police raided his ashram and found that he lived a palatial house, the videos of which went viral.</p>

<p>Ram Rahim was sentenced to 20 years in prison on 28 August 2017.</p>

<h2><strong>Ram Rahim's run-ins with law</strong></h2>

<p>In a separate case, in January 2019, Singh was convicted of the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati and sentenced to life imprisonment. Chhatrapati had been writing about the death of a Dera Sauda former manager Ranjit Singh, and was shot dead in 2002.</p>

<p>Ram Rahim was an accused in the killing Ranjit Singh in 2002, but the Punjab and Haryana High Court acquitted him and four others.</p>

<p>Ram Rahim&nbsp;is also reportedly accused of ordering forced castrations on 400 of his followers.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, an Indian 'godman' and convicted rapist who is serving a 20-year sentence, walked out of jail yet again on furlough on Tuesday (Aug 13) after petitions against it were dismissed.

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, an Indian 'godman' and convicted rapist who is serving a 20-year sentence, walked out of jail yet again on furlough on Tuesday (Aug 13) after petitions against it were dismissed. Singh will be out for 21 days. He is serving jail for the rape of two women disciples at his ashram in Sirsa. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was released from Sunaria prison in Rohtak, a city in the northern state of Haryana, at 6.30 am local time, according to media reports. He will spend time at an Ashram of Dera Sacha Sauda at Baghpat in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, the reports said. Significantly, his release took place two months ahead of the local assembly elections in Haryana. Ram Rahim has been out of jail on parole or furloughs several times in the past since his conviction for rape in 2017. These temporary releases were often opposed in court, but failed. The last plea was filed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee or SGPC. The Punjab and Haryana High Court asked the prisons department to take a call, without “arbitrariness or favouritism”, while dismissing the petition. Who is Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh? Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is the chief of the spiritual group Dera Sacha Sauda, which is seen by many as a cult. At the height of his fame, the 56-year-old had hundreds of thousands of disciples, and was also an actor and film producer, with his followers claiming that the movies amassed 1 billion rupees. He also released several music albums and music videos, which had gone viral at the time. He was famous for his outlandish dressing style, as well as stunts including driving heavy bikes. He was seen as a social reformer and organised massive medical camps for blood donation, and free check-ups. He is also known for mega drives for cleanliness and sanitation. The Dera chief, who also called himself MSG, apparently short for Messenger of God, was sentenced to 20 years in jail for raping two of his followers at his ashram in Sirsa. Ram Rahim Singh rape case Since the early 2000s, several of Ram Rahim's female disciples had accused him of rape and molestation, but complaints by two women were the most prominent. After a lengthy probe by Central Bureau of Investigation, a CBI court convicted Ram Rahim on 25 August 2017 of rape. Soon, his followers went on a rampage in Haryana and several other northern cities, blocking traffic and setting public property and vehicles on fire. The violence spread even to the Indian capital New Delhi and the National Capital Region or NCR, and left several dead. Police raided his ashram and found that he lived a palatial house, the videos of which went viral. Ram Rahim was sentenced to 20 years in prison on 28 August 2017. Ram Rahim's run-ins with law In a separate case, in January 2019, Singh was convicted of the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati and sentenced to life imprisonment. Chhatrapati had been writing about the death of a Dera Sauda former manager Ranjit Singh, and was shot dead in 2002. Ram Rahim was an accused in the killing Ranjit Singh in 2002, but the Punjab and Haryana High Court acquitted him and four others. Ram Rahim is also reportedly accused of ordering forced castrations on 400 of his followers. (With inputs from agencies)

Who is Dera Sacha Saudia's Ram Rahim Singh, Indian 'godman' and rape convict who walked out of jail again?

<p>Dera Sacha Sauda&nbsp;chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, an Indian 'godman' and convicted rapist who is serving a 20-year sentence, walked out of jail yet again on furlough on Tuesday (Aug 13) after petitions against it were dismissed. Singh will be out for 21 days.</p>

<p>He is serving jail for the rape of two women disciples at his ashram in Sirsa.</p>

<p>Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was released from Sunaria prison in Rohtak, a city in the northern state of Haryana, at 6.30 am local time, according to media reports.</p>

<p>He will spend time at an Ashram of Dera Sacha Sauda at Baghpat in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, the reports said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Significantly, his release took place two months ahead of the local assembly elections in Haryana.</p>

<p>Ram Rahim has been out of jail on parole or furloughs several times in the past since his conviction for rape in 2017. These temporary releases were often opposed in court but failed.</p>

<p>The last plea was filed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee or SGPC.</p>

<p>The Punjab and Haryana High Court asked the prison department to take a call, without &nbsp;“arbitrariness or favouritism”, while dismissing the petition.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Who is Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh?</strong></h2>

<p>Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is the chief of the spiritual group Dera Sacha Sauda, which is seen by many as a cult. At the height of his fame, the 56-year-old had hundreds of thousands of disciples, and was also an actor and film producer, with his followers claiming that the movies amassed 1 billion rupees.</p>

<p>He also released several music albums and music videos, which had gone viral at the time.</p>

<p>He was famous for his outlandish dressing style, as well as stunts including driving heavy bikes.</p>

<p>He was seen as a social reformer and organised massive medical camps for blood donation, and free check-ups. He is also known for mega drives for cleanliness and sanitation.</p>

<p>The Dera chief, who also called himself MSG, apparently short for Messenger of God, was sentenced to 20 years in jail for raping two of his followers at his ashram in Sirsa.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/disgraced-indian-godman-ram-rahim-acquitted-in-2002-ranjit-singh-murder-case-726220"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Disgraced Indian godman Ram Rahim acquitted in 2002 Ranjit Singh murder case</strong></a></p>

<h2><strong>Ram Rahim Singh rape case</strong></h2>

<p>Since the early 2000s, several of Ram Rahim's female disciples had accused him of rape and molestation, but complaints by two women were the most prominent.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After a lengthy probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation, a CBI court convicted Ram Rahim on 25 August 2017 of rape.</p>

<p>Soon, his followers went on a rampage in Haryana and several other northern cities, blocking traffic and setting public property and vehicles on fire. The violence spread even to the Indian capital New Delhi&nbsp;and the National Capital Region or NCR, and left several dead.</p>

<p>Police raided his ashram and found that he lived a lavish life in a palatial house, the videos of which went viral.</p>

<p>Ram Rahim was sentenced to 20 years in prison on 28 August 2017.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/here-is-what-ram-rahims-guest-house-looked-like-after-he-was-convicted-4530"><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Here is what Ram Rahim's guest house looked like after he was convicted</strong></a></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/here-is-what-ram-rahims-guest-house-looked-like-after-he-was-convicted-4530/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Ram Rahim's run-ins with law</strong></h2>

<p>In a separate case, in January 2019, Singh was convicted of the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati and sentenced to life imprisonment. Chhatrapati had been writing about the death of a Dera Sauda former manager Ranjit Singh, who was shot dead in 2002.</p>

<p>Ram Rahim was accused in the killing of Ranjit Singh in 2002, but the Punjab and Haryana High Court acquitted him and four others.</p>

<p>Ram Rahim&nbsp;is also reportedly accused of ordering forced castrations on 400 of his followers.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, an Indian 'godman' and convicted rapist who is serving a 20-year sentence, walked out of jail yet again on furlough on Tuesday (Aug 13) after petitions against it were dismissed. Singh will be out for 21 days. He is serving jail for the rape of two women disciples at his ashram in Sirsa. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was released from Sunaria prison in Rohtak, a city in the northern state of Haryana, at 6.30 am local time, according to media reports. He will spend time at an Ashram of Dera Sacha Sauda at Baghpat in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, the reports said. Significantly, his release took place two months ahead of the local assembly elections in Haryana. Ram Rahim has been out of jail on parole or furloughs several times in the past since his conviction for rape in 2017. These temporary releases were often opposed in court but failed. The last plea was filed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee or SGPC. The Punjab and Haryana High Court asked the prison department to take a call, without “arbitrariness or favouritism”, while dismissing the petition. Who is Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh? Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is the chief of the spiritual group Dera Sacha Sauda, which is seen by many as a cult. At the height of his fame, the 56-year-old had hundreds of thousands of disciples, and was also an actor and film producer, with his followers claiming that the movies amassed 1 billion rupees. He also released several music albums and music videos, which had gone viral at the time. He was famous for his outlandish dressing style, as well as stunts including driving heavy bikes. He was seen as a social reformer and organised massive medical camps for blood donation, and free check-ups. He is also known for mega drives for cleanliness and sanitation. The Dera chief, who also called himself MSG, apparently short for Messenger of God, was sentenced to 20 years in jail for raping two of his followers at his ashram in Sirsa. Also read | Disgraced Indian godman Ram Rahim acquitted in 2002 Ranjit Singh murder case Ram Rahim Singh rape case Since the early 2000s, several of Ram Rahim's female disciples had accused him of rape and molestation, but complaints by two women were the most prominent. After a lengthy probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation, a CBI court convicted Ram Rahim on 25 August 2017 of rape. Soon, his followers went on a rampage in Haryana and several other northern cities, blocking traffic and setting public property and vehicles on fire. The violence spread even to the Indian capital New Delhi and the National Capital Region or NCR, and left several dead. Police raided his ashram and found that he lived a lavish life in a palatial house, the videos of which went viral. Ram Rahim was sentenced to 20 years in prison on 28 August 2017. Watch | Here is what Ram Rahim's guest house looked like after he was convicted × Ram Rahim's run-ins with law In a separate case, in January 2019, Singh was convicted of the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati and sentenced to life imprisonment. Chhatrapati had been writing about the death of a Dera Sauda former manager Ranjit Singh, who was shot dead in 2002. Ram Rahim was accused in the killing of Ranjit Singh in 2002, but the Punjab and Haryana High Court acquitted him and four others. Ram Rahim is also reportedly accused of ordering forced castrations on 400 of his followers. (With inputs from agencies)

Who is Dera Sacha Sauda's Ram Rahim Singh, Indian 'godman' and rape convict who walked out of jail again?

<p>Security has been beefed up in Haryana and parts of Punjab in the wake of Special CBI court in Panchkula's likely verdict on Friday in the journalist murder case in which jailed Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is an accused.</p>

<p>Elaborate security arrangements have been made in Haryana especially in Panchkula, Sirsa (headquarter of Dera) and Rohtak districts with several companies of the state armed police, anti-riot police and commando force being deployed to deal with any law and order situation.</p>

<p>Security has been enhanced in Haryana, said Haryana ADGP (Law and Order) Muhammad Akil.</p>

<p>Directions have been issued to police in all the districts not to allow any unnecessary gathering and maintain extra vigil, said police official adding that police barricade have also been laid at several places.</p>

<p>Additional police force has also been deployed near the headquarters of Dera Sacha Sauda in Sirsa in Haryana, police said.</p>

<p>Violence had erupted in Panchkula and Sirsa in Haryana in August 2017 following the conviction of Dera sect head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, leaving over 40 persons dead and scores of people injured.</p>

<p>The 51-year-old sect head is currently serving a 20-year prison term in Rohtak's Sunaria jail for raping two of his women followers.</p>

<p>In Punjab where there are sizeable numbers of Dera followers, elaborate security arrangements have been made in Bathinda and Ferozepur ranges.</p>

<p>We have made elaborate security arrangements in Bathinda range, said Punjab Inspector General (Bathinda Range) M F Farooqui told.</p>

<p>Around 2,000 security personnel have been deployed in Bathinda range, he further said.</p>

<p>In Ferozepur range as well, security has been tightened by Punjab police, police said.</p>

<p>Police have been keeping a close watch in sensitive areas like Faridkot, Moga, Baghapurana, Jaitu, Kotkapura, police said.</p>

<p>10 companies of Punjab police have been deployed in Ferozepur range, said Punjab IG M S Chhina.</p>

<p>The verdict in 2002 murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhattrapati is likely to come on January 11.</p>

<p>On Tuesday, the special CBI court in Panchkula had accepted the state's plea and allowed presence of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh through video conferencing for a January 11 hearing in the murder case of a journalist.</p>

<p>Gurmeet Ram Rahim will appear through video conferencing for the hearing in journalist Ramchandra Chhatrapati's murder case on Friday, when the court is likely to pronounce its verdict.</p>

<p>He has been named as the main conspirator in the case which dates back to 2002.</p>

<p>Chhatrapati was shot at in October 2002 after his newspaper, 'Poora Sach', published an anonymous letter narrating how women were being sexually exploited by Gurmeet Ram Rahim at the Dera headquarters in Sirsa.</p>

<p>The journalist later succumbed to injuries and a case was registered in 2003. The case was handed over to the CBI in 2006.&nbsp;</p>


Security has been beefed up in Haryana and parts of Punjab in the wake of Special CBI court in Panchkula's likely verdict on Friday in the journalist murder case in which jailed Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is an accused.

Security has been beefed up in Haryana and parts of Punjab in the wake of Special CBI court in Panchkula's likely verdict on Friday in the journalist murder case in which jailed Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is an accused. Elaborate security arrangements have been made in Haryana especially in Panchkula, Sirsa (headquarter of Dera) and Rohtak districts with several companies of the state armed police, anti-riot police and commando force being deployed to deal with any law and order situation. Security has been enhanced in Haryana, said Haryana ADGP (Law and Order) Muhammad Akil. Directions have been issued to police in all the districts not to allow any unnecessary gathering and maintain extra vigil, said police official adding that police barricade have also been laid at several places. Additional police force has also been deployed near the headquarters of Dera Sacha Sauda in Sirsa in Haryana, police said. Violence had erupted in Panchkula and Sirsa in Haryana in August 2017 following the conviction of Dera sect head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, leaving over 40 persons dead and scores of people injured. The 51-year-old sect head is currently serving a 20-year prison term in Rohtak's Sunaria jail for raping two of his women followers. In Punjab where there are sizeable numbers of Dera followers, elaborate security arrangements have been made in Bathinda and Ferozepur ranges. We have made elaborate security arrangements in Bathinda range, said Punjab Inspector General (Bathinda Range) M F Farooqui told. Around 2,000 security personnel have been deployed in Bathinda range, he further said. In Ferozepur range as well, security has been tightened by Punjab police, police said. Police have been keeping a close watch in sensitive areas like Faridkot, Moga, Baghapurana, Jaitu, Kotkapura, police said. 10 companies of Punjab police have been deployed in Ferozepur range, said Punjab IG M S Chhina. The verdict in 2002 murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhattrapati is likely to come on January 11. On Tuesday, the special CBI court in Panchkula had accepted the state's plea and allowed presence of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh through video conferencing for a January 11 hearing in the murder case of a journalist. Gurmeet Ram Rahim will appear through video conferencing for the hearing in journalist Ramchandra Chhatrapati's murder case on Friday, when the court is likely to pronounce its verdict. He has been named as the main conspirator in the case which dates back to 2002. Chhatrapati was shot at in October 2002 after his newspaper, 'Poora Sach', published an anonymous letter narrating how women were being sexually exploited by Gurmeet Ram Rahim at the Dera headquarters in Sirsa. The journalist later succumbed to injuries and a case was registered in 2003. The case was handed over to the CBI in 2006.

Security beefed up ahead of verdict in scribe murder case in which Gurmeet Ram Rahim an accused

<p>Panchkula Police said Thursday that Honeypreet Insan was not cooperating with their&nbsp;investigation into the violence that broke out after the conviction of now-disgraced Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Singh.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Honeypreet is accused of having instigated the violence.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Panchkula police commissioner added that should the state of affairs continue, they would ask the court to extend Honeypreet&#39;s remand.</p>

<p>The court had on Wednesday remanded Honeypreet in police custody for six days.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HoneyPreet?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HoneyPreet</a> is not co-operating in interrogation as desired. If this continues we&#39;ll ask for further remand: Panchkula Police Commissioner</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/915915808135458819?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">1 person rounded up &amp; being interrogated. He gave us <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HoneyPreet?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HoneyPreet</a>&#39;s whereabouts during the period she was absconding: Panchkula Commissioner <a href="https://t.co/3SMXhSeC1a">pic.twitter.com/3SMXhSeC1a</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/915915789516939264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>The commissioner added that they were interrogating one other person.</p>

<p>Police said he had told them about Honeypreet&#39;s whereabouts during the period she was absconding.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The violence that Honeypreet is accused of instigating had broken out in Panchkula, a suburb of Chandigarh, on August 25 after Gurmeet Singh was convicted of having raped two of his female followers back in 2002.&nbsp;</p>

<p>More than 35 people died in the violence</p>

<p>Honeypreet had been absconding since August 25. She was arrested on Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/honeypreet-insan-arrested-by-harayana-police-20945" target="_blank">Devastated by accusations I instigated violence, would not hurt a fly: Honeypreet</a></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Honeypreet was on Wednesday remanded in police custody for six days

Panchkula Police said Thursday that Honeypreet Insan was not cooperating with their investigation into the violence that broke out after the conviction of now-disgraced Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Singh. Honeypreet is accused of having instigated the violence. The Panchkula police commissioner added that should the state of affairs continue, they would ask the court to extend Honeypreet's remand. The court had on Wednesday remanded Honeypreet in police custody for six days. #HoneyPreet is not co-operating in interrogation as desired. If this continues we'll ask for further remand: Panchkula Police Commissioner — ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2017 × 1 person rounded up & being interrogated. He gave us #HoneyPreet's whereabouts during the period she was absconding: Panchkula Commissioner pic.twitter.com/3SMXhSeC1a — ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2017 × The commissioner added that they were interrogating one other person. Police said he had told them about Honeypreet's whereabouts during the period she was absconding. The violence that Honeypreet is accused of instigating had broken out in Panchkula, a suburb of Chandigarh, on August 25 after Gurmeet Singh was convicted of having raped two of his female followers back in 2002. More than 35 people died in the violence Honeypreet had been absconding since August 25. She was arrested on Tuesday. Also read: Devastated by accusations I instigated violence, would not hurt a fly: Honeypreet

Honeypreet not cooperating, may ask to further remand: Panchkula Police

<p>Three Haryana policemen were arrested on Thursday for allegedly conspiring to free Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh after his conviction.&nbsp;</p>

<p>PTI reported Panchkula Deputy Commissioner of Police Manbir Singh as saying the policemen -- two head constables and a constable -- were called to join the investigation, and then arrested. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The policemen were part of Ram Rahim&#39;s security detail.</p>

<p>&quot;We have arrested three Haryana policemen who were part of the Dera sect chief&#39;s security on August 25,&quot; PTI reported Singh as saying.</p>

<p>They have been in arrested in connection with the conspiracy to free Ram Rahim on August 25 after he was convicted by the Special CBI Court in Panchkula, PTI added him as saying.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The DCP added that Head Constable Amit, Head Constable Rajesh, and Constable Rajesh were produced in court and remanded in police custody for three days.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Haryana Police had earlier dismissed five policemen who were also part of the Dera chief&#39;s security detail.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Three Punjab policemen had also been arrested.</p>


The three policemen -- two head constables and a constable -- were called to join the investigation, and then arrested

Three Haryana policemen were arrested on Thursday for allegedly conspiring to free Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh after his conviction. PTI reported Panchkula Deputy Commissioner of Police Manbir Singh as saying the policemen -- two head constables and a constable -- were called to join the investigation, and then arrested. The policemen were part of Ram Rahim's security detail. "We have arrested three Haryana policemen who were part of the Dera sect chief's security on August 25," PTI reported Singh as saying. They have been in arrested in connection with the conspiracy to free Ram Rahim on August 25 after he was convicted by the Special CBI Court in Panchkula, PTI added him as saying. The DCP added that Head Constable Amit, Head Constable Rajesh, and Constable Rajesh were produced in court and remanded in police custody for three days. Haryana Police had earlier dismissed five policemen who were also part of the Dera chief's security detail. Three Punjab policemen had also been arrested.

3 Haryana policemen arrested for conspiring to free Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh

<p>Indian television actor and comedian Kiku Sharda who was arrested last year for hurting the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-exclusive-inside-gurmeet-ram-rahims-strange-fantastical-home-19934">sentiments of the followers of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-gurmeet-ram-rahims-designer-ritu-goyal-reveals-new-secrets-19828"> Singh</a> by dressing up as Baba, on Wednesday took a dig at the convicted leader.</p>

<p>Kiku who was at a song launch of the film&nbsp;&quot;2016 The End&quot; did not mince words when he got an opportunity on the stage.</p>

<p>The event started with a fun interaction between co-actors of the film, Divyendu Sharma, Rahul Roy, Priya Banerjee, Narendra Jha and director Jaideep Chopra.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/watch-exclusive-inside-gurmeet-ram-rahims-strange-fantastical-home-4719" target="_blank">WATCH EXCLUSIVE: Inside Gurmeet Ram Rahim&#39;s strange &amp; fantastical home</a></p>

<p>Divyendu and Kiku had a fun exchange of words:&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kiku introduced Divyendu as &quot;He was last seen in Toilet (referring to the film Toilet: Ek Prem Katha).&quot;</p>

<p>Divyendu responded: &quot;Yes, and you were living in jail.&quot;</p>

<p>Kiku said: &quot;I went to jail for a day and now sir has gone for 20 years.&quot;</p>

<p>Divyendu asked him to elaborate and Kiku replied:&nbsp;&quot;No, no, I am not taking any credit for that.&quot;</p>

<p>Kiku then addressed the media by commenting on Dera Sacha Sauda chief&#39;s conviction:&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Well, things have been proven in the court and now we all know what he did. Justice happened and it was bound to happen, it&rsquo;s karma. But whatever violence took place (following Ram Rahim&rsquo;s conviction) was really sad. We shouldn&#39;t have room for violence, we are peace-loving people, and we should stay in peace.&quot;</p>

<p>On August 28, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was convicted for the rape of two female disciples and sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


He spoke about it at a song launch of the film '2016 The End'

Indian television actor and comedian Kiku Sharda who was arrested last year for hurting the sentiments of the followers of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh by dressing up as Baba, on Wednesday took a dig at the convicted leader. Kiku who was at a song launch of the film "2016 The End" did not mince words when he got an opportunity on the stage. The event started with a fun interaction between co-actors of the film, Divyendu Sharma, Rahul Roy, Priya Banerjee, Narendra Jha and director Jaideep Chopra. WATCH EXCLUSIVE: Inside Gurmeet Ram Rahim's strange & fantastical home Divyendu and Kiku had a fun exchange of words: Kiku introduced Divyendu as "He was last seen in Toilet (referring to the film Toilet: Ek Prem Katha)." Divyendu responded: "Yes, and you were living in jail." Kiku said: "I went to jail for a day and now sir has gone for 20 years." Divyendu asked him to elaborate and Kiku replied: "No, no, I am not taking any credit for that." Kiku then addressed the media by commenting on Dera Sacha Sauda chief's conviction: "Well, things have been proven in the court and now we all know what he did. Justice happened and it was bound to happen, it’s karma. But whatever violence took place (following Ram Rahim’s conviction) was really sad. We shouldn't have room for violence, we are peace-loving people, and we should stay in peace." On August 28, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was convicted for the rape of two female disciples and sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment.

Now, comedian Kiku Sharda takes a dig at Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh

<p>The highest number of recommendations the government got for the Padma awards this year were for disgraced Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the Hindustan Times reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ram Rahim Singh got 4,208 of the 18,768 the government received.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Most of the recommendations came from Haryana&#39;s Sirsa, where the Dera sect has its headquarters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Five of the recommendations were from Ram Rahim Singh himself -- who was on Monday sentenced to 20 years in jail for raping two of his devotees in 2002 -- the HT reported.</p>

<p>It added that the large number of recommendations appeared to be an &quot;orchestrated effort&quot; at getting Ram Rahim Singh nominated for the Padma awards.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He had received no recommendations in 2015 or 2016.</p>

<p>The nominations for the Padma awards, India&#39;s highest civilian awards, are an open process.</p>

<p>The recommendations are approved by a committee constituted by the prime minister every year.</p>

<p>The awards are given for excellence in art, literature and education, sports, medicine, social work, science and engineering, public affairs, civil service, trade and industry.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The awards are announced just before Republic Day.</p>


Nominations to the Padmas are an open process. Anybody is allowed to recommend anybody

The highest number of recommendations the government got for the Padma awards this year were for disgraced Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the Hindustan Times reported. Ram Rahim Singh got 4,208 of the 18,768 the government received. Most of the recommendations came from Haryana's Sirsa, where the Dera sect has its headquarters. Five of the recommendations were from Ram Rahim Singh himself -- who was on Monday sentenced to 20 years in jail for raping two of his devotees in 2002 -- the HT reported. It added that the large number of recommendations appeared to be an "orchestrated effort" at getting Ram Rahim Singh nominated for the Padma awards. He had received no recommendations in 2015 or 2016. The nominations for the Padma awards, India's highest civilian awards, are an open process. The recommendations are approved by a committee constituted by the prime minister every year. The awards are given for excellence in art, literature and education, sports, medicine, social work, science and engineering, public affairs, civil service, trade and industry. The awards are announced just before Republic Day.

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh got most recommendations for Padmas in 2017: Report

<p>Godmen, even the fake ones, know what the sacred texts say - &lsquo;You reap what you sow&rsquo;. Dera Sacha Sauda chief, who goes by the name of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh&mdash; a farcical attempt to symbolise communal togetherness &mdash; has been convicted by a CBI court for rape and sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. It&rsquo;s taken 15 years for justice to come, but as a popular line in Hindi films goes, &ldquo;Kanoon ke hath bahut lambey hain&rdquo; (the hands of the law are longer). Still, many would say that it&rsquo;s too little as a punishment for a repeated crime of such heinous nature; he ought to have been given a life term.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>The phenomenon of fake godmen did not begin with this baba nor will it will end with him.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The phenomenon of fake godmen did not begin with this baba nor will it will end with him." target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is one among the many discredited so-called godmen the Indian society has grappled with and will continue to do so. This is because the phenomenon of fake godmen did not begin with this baba nor will it will end with him. But, how is it that a society which has been enlightened spiritually and shown the path to true devotion from the likes of Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Ramanna Maharishi and Swami Vivekananda, from saints such as Tukaram and Namdev and Hazrat Nizamuddin, to Sri Aurobindo and J Krishnamurthy, and from devotees like Mirabai, should fall into the clutches of the likes of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and Asaram Bapu and Nityananda &mdash; and preachers of the Zakir Naik kind?&nbsp;</p>

<p>Make no mistake, the Dera Sacha Sauda movement is not going to disappear with its leader secured behind bars. Asaram Bapu&rsquo;s devotees are still out there in thousands across the country. Give these devotees all the evidence against their revered spiritual leader &mdash; even evidence of rape &mdash; but they will just refuse to buy it. They will see conspiracies behind the actions against their babas and swamis and will come out on the streets in violent protest. What makes the forgery tick and why?</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>Today&rsquo;s devotee seeks instant nirvana and is attracted by glamorous displays of the path to salvation.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Today?s devotee seeks instant nirvana and is attracted by glamorous displays of the path to salvation." target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>One reason is the mindset of contemporary society. Today&rsquo;s devotee seeks instant nirvana and is attracted by glamorous displays of the path to salvation. It has no patience with the ascetic withdrawn from daily life, who lays down a long and difficult road to enlightenment. Such a follower sees nothing aberrant in a godman acting in films, dressing in a hilarious manner, and indulging in politics and immorality.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Of course, this is not enough for a godman to win over lakhs of supporters. He spins off various charitable activities, such as free schools and hospital to attract crowds and devotees. Some of them, such as the Dera chief, appeal to the conscience of marginalised sections of society who have been disappointed by the mainstream religious order and offer them an alternative. Once his charitable empire grows, so does his religious/spiritual domination. Soon, he begins to attract the attention of politicians who are ever on the prowl for vote-banks. That is how Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh grew in stature. And, this is the reason why Haryana Government dealt with the brewing crisis prior to his conviction with kid gloves.</p>

<p>It has been reported that the Dera chief had extended his support to the BJP during the last Assembly election in the State. He has also hobnobbed with senior Congress leaders. Similar was the case with Zakir Naik. His social activities and religious appeal led to many senior members of the Congress allowing him a free run while he spewed communal venom during the UPA rule. Thus, the religion-social work-political support nexus can make an imposter into a self-styled godman.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>The religion-social work-political support nexus can make an imposter into a self-styled godman.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The religion-social work-political support nexus can make an imposter into a self-styled godman." target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>Today&rsquo;s godmen don&rsquo;t appear to trust God to protect them - they have their own private armies.</p>

<p>Three years ago, another one of this tribe, Sant Rampal of Haryana, had sought to cock a snook at the law of the land when the police had to move in to nab him. His private army, equipped to fight, kept vigil over his ashram in Hissar and robustly resisted the police.</p>

<p>Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh&rsquo;s supporters were armed with petrol bombs and other such implements. It may be recalled that a year ago, so-called spiritual leader Ramvriksh Yadav, who claimed to be a follower of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, had, along with supporters, occupied a public park and turned it into his sect&rsquo;s headquarters. It was doubtlessly done with the connivance of the some of the State&rsquo;s then ruling party leaders. When the administration was compelled to act against Yadav on court orders, mayhem resulted. The so-called spiritual leader&rsquo;s private army swung into action, leading to serious violence. There are those who believe that religion and spirituality shun violence, but sects run by the likes of Yadav and Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh certainly do not.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>A journalist who had written a critical report on the Dera&rsquo;s functioning and its leader&rsquo;s notorious reputation, lost his life.&nbsp;</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=A journalist who had written a critical report on the Dera?s functioning and its leader?s notorious reputation, lost his life.?" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>It can be argued that a majority of the followers of controversial godmen are naive, and they genuinely believe in the goodness of their leader. They have no opportunity to run away from this belief because that &lsquo;goodness&rsquo; is amplified many times over through sustained propaganda &mdash; when this does not work in certain cases, other, strong-arm methods are covertly applied. Critics of such leaders are known to have disappeared or died in suspicious circumstances. It happened in Sathya Sai Baba&rsquo;s case, and it happened in Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim&rsquo;s case either &mdash; a journalist, who had written a critical report on the Dera&rsquo;s functioning and its leader&rsquo;s notorious reputation, lost his life.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The rising stock of fake godmen in Indian society has also to do with the sense of dissatisfaction and mental unrest that has come with materialism and consumerism. It can be argued that both these reasons prevail in Western society too, and perhaps in a more acute form, and yet the dubious godmen phenomenon is more strongly rooted in India. This is true, but there are two differences. The first is that the Indian mind, evolved through generations of a particular cultural ethos which seeks to place spiritualism on a higher pedestal than materialism, gets easily rebellious and is more susceptible to be drawn towards a spiritual/religious calling &mdash; even if it is to be satiated by questionable quarters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The second reason has to do with the flexibility of Hinduism &mdash; the country&rsquo;s majority religion. This flexibility has indeed been Hinduism&rsquo;s strength, preventing it from becoming rigid, unchanging and exclusive. It has allowed the prosperity of other religions too, some new and others that spun off from Hinduism itself and evolved as independent entities. There has been no central institutionalised authority to guide the affairs of an ordinary Hindu. But this commendable feature also allowed space to all sorts of dubious elements to project themselves as spiritual or religious leaders, or even incarnations of God, who had the mandate to do anything.<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>And yet, despite the bleak present, there is hope for future through the exposure of the likes of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. Indian society ought to be rattled enough to abandon the lure of false godmen and delve into the life and works of the country&rsquo;s great spiritual leaders, such as the icons of the Bhakti movement, for a meaningful life.</p>


Dera Sacha Sauda movement is not going to disappear with its leader secured behind bars.

Godmen, even the fake ones, know what the sacred texts say - ‘You reap what you sow’. Dera Sacha Sauda chief, who goes by the name of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh— a farcical attempt to symbolise communal togetherness — has been convicted by a CBI court for rape and sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. It’s taken 15 years for justice to come, but as a popular line in Hindi films goes, “Kanoon ke hath bahut lambey hain” (the hands of the law are longer). Still, many would say that it’s too little as a punishment for a repeated crime of such heinous nature; he ought to have been given a life term. The phenomenon of fake godmen did not begin with this baba nor will it will end with him. × Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is one among the many discredited so-called godmen the Indian society has grappled with and will continue to do so. This is because the phenomenon of fake godmen did not begin with this baba nor will it will end with him. But, how is it that a society which has been enlightened spiritually and shown the path to true devotion from the likes of Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Ramanna Maharishi and Swami Vivekananda, from saints such as Tukaram and Namdev and Hazrat Nizamuddin, to Sri Aurobindo and J Krishnamurthy, and from devotees like Mirabai, should fall into the clutches of the likes of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and Asaram Bapu and Nityananda — and preachers of the Zakir Naik kind? Make no mistake, the Dera Sacha Sauda movement is not going to disappear with its leader secured behind bars. Asaram Bapu’s devotees are still out there in thousands across the country. Give these devotees all the evidence against their revered spiritual leader — even evidence of rape — but they will just refuse to buy it. They will see conspiracies behind the actions against their babas and swamis and will come out on the streets in violent protest. What makes the forgery tick and why? Today’s devotee seeks instant nirvana and is attracted by glamorous displays of the path to salvation. × One reason is the mindset of contemporary society. Today’s devotee seeks instant nirvana and is attracted by glamorous displays of the path to salvation. It has no patience with the ascetic withdrawn from daily life, who lays down a long and difficult road to enlightenment. Such a follower sees nothing aberrant in a godman acting in films, dressing in a hilarious manner, and indulging in politics and immorality. Of course, this is not enough for a godman to win over lakhs of supporters. He spins off various charitable activities, such as free schools and hospital to attract crowds and devotees. Some of them, such as the Dera chief, appeal to the conscience of marginalised sections of society who have been disappointed by the mainstream religious order and offer them an alternative. Once his charitable empire grows, so does his religious/spiritual domination. Soon, he begins to attract the attention of politicians who are ever on the prowl for vote-banks. That is how Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh grew in stature. And, this is the reason why Haryana Government dealt with the brewing crisis prior to his conviction with kid gloves. It has been reported that the Dera chief had extended his support to the BJP during the last Assembly election in the State. He has also hobnobbed with senior Congress leaders. Similar was the case with Zakir Naik. His social activities and religious appeal led to many senior members of the Congress allowing him a free run while he spewed communal venom during the UPA rule. Thus, the religion-social work-political support nexus can make an imposter into a self-styled godman. The religion-social work-political support nexus can make an imposter into a self-styled godman. × Today’s godmen don’t appear to trust God to protect them - they have their own private armies. Three years ago, another one of this tribe, Sant Rampal of Haryana, had sought to cock a snook at the law of the land when the police had to move in to nab him. His private army, equipped to fight, kept vigil over his ashram in Hissar and robustly resisted the police. Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s supporters were armed with petrol bombs and other such implements. It may be recalled that a year ago, so-called spiritual leader Ramvriksh Yadav, who claimed to be a follower of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, had, along with supporters, occupied a public park and turned it into his sect’s headquarters. It was doubtlessly done with the connivance of the some of the State’s then ruling party leaders. When the administration was compelled to act against Yadav on court orders, mayhem resulted. The so-called spiritual leader’s private army swung into action, leading to serious violence. There are those who believe that religion and spirituality shun violence, but sects run by the likes of Yadav and Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh certainly do not. A journalist who had written a critical report on the Dera’s functioning and its leader’s notorious reputation, lost his life. × It can be argued that a majority of the followers of controversial godmen are naive, and they genuinely believe in the goodness of their leader. They have no opportunity to run away from this belief because that ‘goodness’ is amplified many times over through sustained propaganda — when this does not work in certain cases, other, strong-arm methods are covertly applied. Critics of such leaders are known to have disappeared or died in suspicious circumstances. It happened in Sathya Sai Baba’s case, and it happened in Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s case either — a journalist, who had written a critical report on the Dera’s functioning and its leader’s notorious reputation, lost his life. The rising stock of fake godmen in Indian society has also to do with the sense of dissatisfaction and mental unrest that has come with materialism and consumerism. It can be argued that both these reasons prevail in Western society too, and perhaps in a more acute form, and yet the dubious godmen phenomenon is more strongly rooted in India. This is true, but there are two differences. The first is that the Indian mind, evolved through generations of a particular cultural ethos which seeks to place spiritualism on a higher pedestal than materialism, gets easily rebellious and is more susceptible to be drawn towards a spiritual/religious calling — even if it is to be satiated by questionable quarters. The second reason has to do with the flexibility of Hinduism — the country’s majority religion. This flexibility has indeed been Hinduism’s strength, preventing it from becoming rigid, unchanging and exclusive. It has allowed the prosperity of other religions too, some new and others that spun off from Hinduism itself and evolved as independent entities. There has been no central institutionalised authority to guide the affairs of an ordinary Hindu. But this commendable feature also allowed space to all sorts of dubious elements to project themselves as spiritual or religious leaders, or even incarnations of God, who had the mandate to do anything. And yet, despite the bleak present, there is hope for future through the exposure of the likes of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. Indian society ought to be rattled enough to abandon the lure of false godmen and delve into the life and works of the country’s great spiritual leaders, such as the icons of the Bhakti movement, for a meaningful life.

Will Ram Rahim's imprisonment bring to an end the godman syndrome in India?