advertisement
The Punjab and Haryana High Court will conduct a special session on 26 August as part of its continuing assessment of the law and order situation relating to the conviction of self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim for rape and criminal intimidation.
The court conducted two sessions on 25 August, passing interim orders with the objective of helping direct efforts to maintain peace in Panchkula, the location of the special CBI court which had been hearing the case against the Dera Sacha Sauda leader, and other parts of Punjab and Haryana.
For all the updates in the Ram Rahim rape case, read: Ram Rahim Rape Case Live
Also Read: Politicians React to Violence After Ram Rahim Singh’s Conviction
The first order at 11 am noted the developments in Panchkula, where multiple devotees of Ram Rahim had gathered over the past few days, and the deployment of police and paramilitary forces to deal with the threat they posed. In light of the circumstances, the High Court said:
The second order at 4 pm noted the violence and disturbance to law and order after the announcement of Ram Rahim’s conviction, and the reports of the police running away from the scene of violence.
The judge then passed the following directions:
Media organisations incorrectly reported that the High Court had already ordered the attachment of Dera Sacha Sauda properties.
The High Court only pointed out that the organisation’s assets and properties may be attached to compensate for the damage caused by the rioters and protesters if they are found to have been responsible for inciting violence.
To clarify, at this time, the Court has neither made a finding of responsibility, nor issued directions for attachment of the Dera’s assets and properties.
The court will receive further reports on 26 August on the law and order situation, and will expect the Dera’s list of properties and assets, though, no order of attachment will be forthcoming.
Read: Both Orders from the Punjab and Haryana High Court
(#TalkingStalking: Have you ever been stalked? Share your experience with The Quint and inspire others to shatter the silence surrounding stalking. Send your stories to editor@thequint.com or WhatsApp @ +919999008335.)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)