Ram Rahim Singh verdict LIVE updates: Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insaan was yesterday convicted by a CBI court in Panchkula in connection with a decade old rape case. Self-styled godman Ram Rahim Singh was taken into Haryana Police custody as soon as the judgment was pronounced by judge Jagdeep Singh. The court will announce the quantum of punishment on August 28. The Dera chief had arrived in Panchkula from Sirsa yesterday in a huge convoy of 200 cars. Following the CBI special court judgement violence broke out in several parts of North India. Curfew was imposed in various areas like Sangrur, Patiala post the violence and security has been increased following it. Tense situation continues to prevail in Punjab and Haryana as over 15,000 paramilitary personnel have been deployed to prevent any untoward situation.

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9: 30 PM: Curfew to be relaxed in Haryana’s Sirsa from 6 am – 11 am tomorrow, reported ANI.

9: 15 PM: Congress has demanded imposition of president’s rule in Haryana and has also sought sacking of the ML Khattar government. The party has accused both the state and the Centre of being ‘mute spectators’ to arson and violence after the court verdict against Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

9: 00 PM: Deputy Commissioner Atul Kumar Dwivedi on Saturday said that house raid was conducted in Rohtak, wherein some explosives were seized. All of them were seized, he added.

8: 45 PM: Terming the mayhem erupted after the conviction of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh as “unfortunate,” Haryana BJP in-charge Anil Jain spurned the reports claiming that CM Manohar Lal Khattar has been summoned to Delhi, reported PTI.

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8: 30 PM: We cannot afford another bout of violence and communal tensions, said former Punjab CM  Parkash Singh Badal adding that violence can have no place in a civilised society nor was it a solution to any issue.

8: 15 PM: Even weapons and petrol bombs were also recovered in Panchkula. Three petrol bombs and cans have been seized in Karnal, he stated further.

8: 00 PM: 24 vehicles are impounded by police in Panchkula. 5 pistols (79 rounds), 2 rifles (52 rounds), AK 47, iron rods, hockey sticks were also recovered, said Haryana DGP during a press conference.

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7: 45 PM: At a special hearing, a full Bench of the court minced no words in slamming the chief minister for “protecting the Dera followers and extending political patronage to them, reported PTI. The court observed that the BJP government seemed to have surrendered before the followers of Dera Sacha Sauda for political considerations.

7: 30 PM: As many as 552 people arrested, investigation is underway said Haryana DGP BS Sandhu adding that 30 died in Panchkula, 6 in Sirsa, 269 injured.

7: 15 PM: Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia today expressed surprise over ‘non-adherence’ of court orders by the BJP government in Haryana and sought Centre’s intervention to check violence. “Our (AAP) stand is that the court orders should be followed. I am surprised why it has not been done,” Sisodia told reporters.

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07: 00 PM: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan says Sakshi Maharaj is trying to glorify rape convict, reported CNN- News 18.

6: 45 PM: Delhi PRO has recently informed that high alert is maintained in the National Capital. He also stated that no incidents were reported so far. Sec 144 to continue till further order, however it won’t affect normal life, the PRO added further.

06: 30 PM: State government has ordered to ensure safety of CBI judge who will be flown to Rohtak to pronounce sentence on Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh following the rape case verdict, stated CNN- News 18.

06: 15 PM: Flag march will be conducted by paramilitary forces in Rohtak at 10 PM today: CNN- News 18 quoted Rohtak administration sources saying.

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06: 00 PM: Former Indian Test cricketer Gautam Gambhir on Saturday condemned the violence and damage to public property following the conviction of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. Gambhir described the incidents as a classic case of religion marketing.

05: 45 pm: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu today condemned the large-scale violence in Punjab and Haryana and termed it as unacceptable. He said, some people incited violence in the name of religion, language or region and the challenge to rid the country of discrimination and inequalities remained, reported PTI.

05: 30 PM: Ram Rahim Singh won’t be produced in Panchkula, Haryana DGP B S Sandhu told media.

05: 15 PM: Haryana Deputy Attorney General has been sacked for carrying Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s bag yesterday, reported CNN- News 18. The TV channel also informed that the AG was relative of Ram Rahim Singh.

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05: 10 PM: Fault was in allowing people to gather in Panchkula when the verdict was coming; should have known that there could be a problem, ANI quoted Punjab CM saying.

05: 00 pm: The CMO of the civil hospital in Panchkula where Ram Rahim verdict violence protest casualties where taken has recently told ANI that there were 7 casualties and post-mortem is underway. As many as 90 people were admitted last night, no case of bullet injury was reported.

4: 50 pm: The Press Club of India today condemned the violence against media persons in Panchkula allegedly by the followers of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, reported PTI.

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4: 40 pm: I will not allow violence of any form from any sect in Punjab. There were no deaths in Punjab, everything was peaceful here. There was no firing, lathicharge, Amarinder Singh added.

4: 30 pm: Punjab CM also praised the state’s administration for maintaining law and order.

4: 25 pm: After chairing a high level meeting on the Ram Rahim verdict voilence, Punjab CM Amarinder Singh told media that no major incidents of violence were reported in the state. He also said that the state government had recently spoken to the Home Ministry to update the situation here.

4: 15 pm: Haryana chief secretary says Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s ‘Z plus’ security withdrawn after his conviction in rape case.

4: 10 pm: Visuals of  Ram Rahim Singh’s Dera Sacha Sauda ashram in Hisar.

(Image: ANI)

4: 00 pm: Haryana CM Khattar won’t be called to explain himself,  CNN-News 18 quouted BJP sources saying.

3: 53 pm: Punjab Police and Army conducted flag march in Punjab’s Moga, reported ANI.

3: 48 pm: According to CNN- News 18, Home Minister Rajnath Singh has recently took note of assurance given by Haryana DGP that law and order situation would be under control.

3: 42 pm: “There is no plan so far to enter the Dera headquarters here. We are focusing on maintenance of law and order presently,” General Officer Commanding (GOC), 33 Armoured Division, Rajpal Punia said in a media briefing.

3: 25 pm: Meanwhile Kaithal DC speaking to media said, We found axes, batons, petrol bombs etc there. All objectionable objects have been seized and Dera has been completely vacated.”

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3: 20 pm: BJP leader Subramanian Swamy demanded a probe to identify the miscreants, who vandalised the property after conviction of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in rape case. Swamy also said that a law need to be enforced to keep a check on all the religious institution of the country.

3: 10 pm: Every prisoner can give the names of any five persons he wants to meet. Gurmeet would be given the same facility, like any other inmate, Haryana DGP (Jails) K P Singh told PTI.

3: 00 pm: Facing flak over failure to check violence by Dera Sacha Sauda followers, Haryana government today suspended the Deputy Commissioner of Police of Panchkula, alleging that a ‘defective’ order by him allowed the crowd build-up in the district.

2: 55 pm: This kind of shameful surrender for politics of vote needed to be condemned by all, she added.

2: 50 pm: “The Khattar government should be immediately dismissed for its absolute laxity and involvement leading to large-scale violence after the conviction of the Dera Sacha Sauda chief on rape charges,” the news agency quoted BSP supremo saying.

2: 40 pm: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati today demanded immediate dismissal of the Khattar government over the violence in Haryana, saying such “shameful surrender” to vote-bank politics needed to be condemned, reported PTI.

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2: 35 pm: Government must resign on moral grounds. If it doesn’t, Centre must impose President’s Rule here, ANI quoted former Haryana CM BS Hooda saying.

2: 31 pm: Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is being treated and given food in the same manner as other prisoners get, ANI quoted Haryana Chief Secretary Depinder Singh Dhesi.

2: 29 pm: During a media interaction, Rajpal Punia, GOC, 33 Division Hisar said, “Military is not going inside Dera, there is no such plan as of now.”

2:25 pm: The moment Ram Rahim Singh was arrested, his Z-plus security stood automatically withdrawn: Haryana Chief Secretary Depinder Singh

2:19 pm: In a media briefing the Indian Army says that they were in ground zero to assess the situation and added that law and order was the top most priority.

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2:15 pm: Randeep S Surjewala says, Centre sheilding Manohar Lal Khattar, blames state government for inaction.

2:12 pm: Former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda says, ” We saw Panchkula burn yesterday.”

2:10 pm: Bhupinder Hooda says Khattar must resign and also wants the Haryana government to be dismissed failing to maintain peace in the state.

2:08 pm: Former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda slams Manohar Lal Khattar.

2:01 pm: Punjab CM Amrinder singh tweeted saying, ” Grateful to people of Punjab for maintaining peace. All steps being taken to ensure law & order not disturbed at any cost. Just been briefed by DGP, situation peaceful, curfew lifted in 3 districts, relaxed in all others this morning. State on alert for 48 hrs.”

1:55 pm: Haryana BJP in-charge Anil Jain on reports of CM Manohar Lal Khattar being summoned to Delhi said that no one has been summoned.

1:53 pm: August 28 hearing could be via video conferencing or the judge could also travel to Rohtak, says Haryana DGP

1:48 pm: No police failure in Panchkula; cops did their best to abate riot, says state government.

1:46 pm: Haryana BJP Incharge Anil Jain said, ” People who died were Dera supporters. 36 Dera Ashrams sealed and Dera at Sirsa is being vacated.”

1:44 pm: District administration and police sealed two ashrams of Dera Sacha Sauda in Haryana’s Kurukshetra, today. See pictures:

1:41 pm: According to CNN News 18, only 5 cars were allowed to enter the premises of Dera headquarters, says Haryana DGP, BS Sandhu.

1:38 pm: DG Haryana assured situation is under control. Situation in Punjab, Rajasthan and Delhi is normal: Home Secretary after meeting with Home Minister.

1:36 pm: Haryana DGP says that Gurmeet Singh’s daughter accompanied him only till Rohtak.

1:33 pm: Ram Rahim being treated like other prisoners, says Haryana Chief Secretary.

1:32 pm: Zero tolerance towards violence: Chief Secretary

1:31 am: Haryana Chief Secretary holds a briefing, a day after the rampage. He says sedition charges has been slapped against Ram Rahim’s bodyguards.

1:25 pm: Home Secretary after his meeting with Home Minister said that important points on internal security have been discussed, one being violence post-Ram Rahim Singh’s conviction.

1:23 pm: Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar to announce his next move in the Press conference.

1:22 pm: Amidst rumours of resignation, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar to hold a Press conference today at 3pm

1:19 pm: Punjab and Haryana High Court asks state government for details of #RamRahimSingh’s movable and immovable properties in Punjab and Haryana till next hearing on August 29.

11:18 pm: Congress hits out at BJP saying PM Narendra Modi trying to save Manohar Lal Khattar

1:14 pm: Punjab and Haryana High Court slams Haryana Government, says, “you let Panchkula burn for political benefits.”
1:11 pm: Congress hits out at CM Manohar Lal Khattar saying he should resign and President rule should be applied in Haryana

1:10 pm: Not just Haryana but the Central government has failed too, says Congress.

1:05 pm: Violence post #RamRahimVerdict: BJP President Amit Shah held a meeting with Haryana BJP in-charge Anil Jain at Delhi BJP HQ to discuss situation.

12:55 pm: Dera followers attacked the Army with stones, jawans had to fire rubber bullets in retaliation, as reported by CNN New 18.

12:50 pm: In Panchkula, 600 men have been taken under custody.

11:47 am: Government submits probe report in High Court.

12:35 pm: Government cracks down on Dera supporters. Sedition charge has been levied on two Dera supporters and six security guards.

12:33 pm: BJP supremo Amit Shah briefed on Haryana crisis. BJP Haryana incharge meets Shah.

12:30 pm: Due to law and order situation Haryana following trains have been cancelled, as per CNN-News 18:
1. Train number 19023 Mumbai Central – Firozpur Janta Express
2. Train number 12925 Bandra Terminus – Amritsar Paschim Express
3. Train number 19027 Bandra Terminus – Jammu Tawi Vivek Express
4. Train number 12473 Ahmedabad – Sri Maa Vaishnao Devi Katra Express
5. Train number 19223 Ahmedabad – Jammu Tawi Express
6. Train number 12919 – Indore – Jammu Tawi Malwa Express

12:25 pm: Punjab CM Amarinder Singh said that he was briefed by DGP and the situation is peaceful now, curfew has been lifted in 3 districts and relaxed in all others. State has been put on alert for next 48 hours.

12:18 pm: Kurukshetra Police sealed the nine congregation centres of the Dera Sacha Sauda in the district, evicting the followers, and seized over 2,500 lathis and other sharp-edged weapons during a search operation there.

12:10 pm: IPS officer Ashok Kumar, DCP Panchkula, has been put under suspension with immediate effect, an official order said. During the period of suspension, he will report to the office of DGP, Haryana, Panchkula, it said. Officials sources claimed that the senior police officer has been blamed for failing to get prohibitory orders under Section 144 effectively implemented in Panchkula.

12:05 pm: The Deputy Commissioner of Police in Panchkula was today suspended by Haryana government, a day after 29 people died in the district in violence triggered by the rape conviction of self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

12:00 pm: Army conducts flag march in Punjab’s Mansa.

11:55 am: “We will not spare those who have taken the law in their hands. We will take strict action against then,” IG (Hisar) A S Dillo said outside the Dera premises.

11:51 am: Dera chief Ram Rahim Singh’s 36 ashrams have been impounded till now.

11:46 am: A woman, Honeypreet, whom the Dera website describes as his daughter (not real daughter), was allowed to accompany him along with bags and suitcases when Ram Rahim, after being taken into custody was flown in a specially arranged helicopter from the police lines complex in Panchkula. Even after being taken into custody, the Dera chief was shown full respect by a section of officers instead of being treated like a convicted criminal, according to IANS.

11:44 am: Convicted of rape and criminal intimidation on two counts, Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh continued to get VIP treatment from Haryana’s Manohar Lal Khattar government in prison, according to IANS.

11:35 am: High-level meeting begins at Home Minister’s residence. Home Secretary, NSA & IB Chief also present.

11:29 am: Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar has been summoned to New Delhi, reported Times Now.

11:20 am: Among the 30 people who have been declared dead as a result of the post verdict violence, seven of them are women.

11:17 am: Followers asked to vacate Dera Headquarters after Army enters Ram Rahim bastion in Haryana’s Sirsa.

11:14 am: Top intel agencies in a huddle after Dera violence, according to India Today.

11:05 am: Army enters Ram Rahim bastion in Haryana’s Sirsa. Dera followers are at this juncture present there. Army is inside the Dera headquarters.

Also Read| Gurmeet Ram Rahim rape verdict: How the judgment came back to haunt many BJP leaders who supported Dera chief

11:00 am: Home Minister Rajnath Singh takes stock of the situation who is to chair a review meeting at 11 am today. PM Narendra Modi is to be briefed about the discussions of the meeting. Singh has seeked for reports on each districts.

10:57 am: According to the Delhi Police, the situation is under control now. No gathering or any incident of violence has taken place since yesterday. Adequate force deployed.

10:50 am: Meanwhile Congress accusses BJP saying, ”Death and violence caused by complete failure of state machinery. Lack of preparedness inexcusable. PM must take action & #KhattarMustResign.”

10:45 am: Another person succumbed to injuries in Sirsa, taking the death toll to three in the district.

10:33 am: Two ashrams of Dera Sacha Sauda in Haryana’s Kurukshetra have been sealed by district administration.

10:30 am: As per the latest updates, police has detained 15 Dera Sacha Sauda followers since last night here even as the authorities have appealed to over one lakh supporters still present in the sect headquarters to vacate the premises.

10:27 am: Rajnath Singh will meet National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief Rajiv Jain and other Home Ministry officials at his residence here at 11 a.m.

10:25 am: The situation in Haryana’s Sirsa, the headquarters of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect, 260 km from here, was tense as over one lakh followers were still camping there.

10:23 am: In Punjab, curfew was relaxed in Patiala, Bathinda and Ferozepur towns for four hours, while in Haryana it was relaxed in Kaithal town. In Haryana’s Fatehabad town, the Army was deployed to assist the paramilitary and police personnel in maintaining law and order, according to IANS.

10:21 am: Latest visuals from Haryana’s Rohtak: Section 144 still imposed, security deployed. Checkpout the latest image;

10:20 am: A day after large scale violence broke out, authorities in Punjab and Haryana on Saturday relaxed curfew in some towns to enable the residents to buy essential and eatable items.

10:15 am: Dera Chief Ram Rahim shares the prison cell with two inmates, India Today reports.

10:10 am: High alert has been issued in Delhi NCR. Schools in Delhi NCR to remain shut on Saturday.

10:03 am: After court order Manohar Lal Khattar government impounds one of Ram Rahim Singh’s Ashram.

9:55 am: KP Singh, DG Prisons (Haryana) further said, that Ram Rahim Singh was being treated as a normal prisoner and he has been provided with no attendant or AC in the cell he has been lodged in.


9:50 am: KP Singh, DG Prisons (Haryana) said, ”Some channels and papers reporting on special treatment to RamRahim. I clarify he is in Sunaria Jail, not in a guesthouse.” (ANI)

9:45 am: The Railways on Friday said 661 Haryana-Punjab-bound trains were affected ahead of the verdict in a case involving Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and after the violence following it.

9:35 am: According to Times Now latest reports, High Court has asks Dera to pay for the losses caused by the unrest following the verdict of Dera chief Ram Rahim.

9:30 am: DGP Sandhu said two Senior Superintendents of Police, one Deputy Superintendent of Police and 60 constables were injured in the violence yesterday.  He further added that peace is prevailing in Panchkula from where Dera followers had been driven out completely and yhey are now being sent back to their respective places, according to IANS.

9:25 am: Prison officials said that the self-styled godman Ram Rahim, who was used to a life of ultra luxury in the past three decades, had a sleepless night. He will be medically examined today, according to IANS.

9:17 am: The Dera Sacha Sauda chief was shifted to a prison near Rohtak town (about 70 km from Delhi) and was lodged in a barrack in the jail where he was kept under Z security on Friday night.

9:10 am: Panchkula, Sirsa remains tense as the death toll increases to 31, according to Times Now reports.

9:05 am: Educational institutions have been ordered to remain shut at several places in both states till Monday.

9:00 am: Curfew continued on Saturday in a few districts in south-west Punjab, including Mansa, Bathinda, Patiala, Fazilka, Ferozepore, Faridkot, Malout, Sangrur and Barnala following the violence. Other than these areas curfew also continued in Panchkula, Sirsa and Kaithal towns in Haryana.

8:57 am: A high-level meeting has been called at Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s residence today. Home Secretary and others senior officials will also be present, ANI quoted MHA sources saying.

8:52 am: Western Railways cancels 6 trains and partially cancels 2 trains in wake of law and order situation in Punjab and Haryana.

8:45 am: Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar has not come up with any apology following the state of violence in Haryana and other parts of North India.

8:35 am: After violence broke out in parts of North India yesterday following the verdict, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar was blamed for failing to control in unrest in the areas. Following this Omar Abullah tweeted and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sack Khattar for negligence of his duty in stopping the violence in parts of Haryana.

8:30 am: 2 companies of Army and 10 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed. Police personnel have asked locals to stay indoors.

8:25 am: Last night, Army carried out a flag march in the area to maintain law and order. The normal life has come to a standstill due to curfew-like restrictions imposed by the authorities to prevent any untoward incident.

8:20 am: Internet has been shutdown in Panchkula and security has been tightened in Rohtak according to Times Now report.

8:15 am: Latest Visuals from Panchkula where violence was witnessed yesterday: Section 144 still imposed; security deployed.

8:10 am: As per the latest updates, no news of any violence have been reported from the affected areas. According to ABP news,  atleast 30 people have died in the violence out of which 28 have lost their lives in Panchkula.

8:00 am: According to the latest updates, one person injured in Sirsa in the clash yesterday, succumbs to injuries making it a total of 3 deaths in Sirsa.

7:50 AM: Minister of State for Law and Justice P.P. Chaudhary on Saturday appealed to all the political parties and their leaders not to politicise the unrest in Haryana which erupted after the verdict. Chaudhary also said that the Central government is making all efforts to control the situation in the state.

7:40 am: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar visited public & security personnel injured during the civil unrest which took place in Panchkula yesterday.

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7:30 am: Congress MP Sashi Tharoor tweeting on the incident said, ”Saddened by reports from Panchkula of violence over @Gurmeetramrahim. 13 people killed,100+ vehicles destroyed, trains ablaze.What a shame!”

7:22 am: Women activists demanded that BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj should be put behind the bars on charges of contempt of court following his open support towards rape convict Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and disrespecting court’s verdict.

7:15 am: According to the latest reports atleast 29 people were killed, including two women and a child, and more than 250 injured as violence erupted in Haryana and Punjab after the Dera Sacha Sauda chief was convicted in a rape case by a CBI court in Panchkula on Friday.

7:00 am: Security has been beefed up with para military and police forces being deployed in Haryana’s Rohtak jail where Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim is lodged. Navdeep Singh Virk, Inspector General (IG), Rohtak told ANI, “Jail is given extra security with para military and police forces. There are check posts all over the city. We are ensuring that nobody goes around the main place. We are making sure that the crowd does not gather here.”

6:50 am: After parts of North India was shrouded in violence following the CBI special court verdict, almost 250 trains en route Rohtak were cancelled. High-level meeting will be called at Home Minister’s residence today. Home Secretary and others senior officials will also be present, reported ANI.