Special CBI court judge Jagdeep Singh has awarded a 20-year sentence to the Dera Sacha Sauda cult chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who was convicted on Friday in a 2002 rape case in Rohtak’s Sunaria jail. The ‘godman’ – or prisoner number 1997 at the Rohtak jail – has been kept in solitary confinement in a cell big enough for 12 prisoners.
Check out all the live updates on Ram Rahim's sentencing.
- Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh will challenge his punishment in High Court
- Convicted Dera Chief sentenced to 20 years in jail, 10 years each for two separate rape cases
- Dera chief breaks down at the makeshift court, begs for leniency
- CBI judge flown in by chopper to Rohtak jail
- A special CBI judge pronounced the sentence against Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh today
- On Friday, the Dera Sacha Sauda chief was convicted of raping two of his women followers
- So far, 38 people have been killed in violence and arson that followed Ram Rahim’s conviction
CINTAA Terminates Ram Rahim's Work Permit
Cine and TV Artists Association (CINTAA) unanimously terminated the work permit of rape convict Ram Rahim Singh on grounds of criminality and moral turpitude. The Indian Film & Television Directors Association (IFTDA) also cancelled his license after his conviction in rape case. The directors’ body also cancelled Honeypreet’s license.
No Question of Compensation to the Dead: Top Haryana Official
All the 33 people who have died in the violence that broke out in Panchkula after Ram Rahim Singh was convicted were named in a single FIR under section 146, 147, 148, 149, 186, 188, 307, 332, 352, 427, 435 and 120 B of the IPC, 25/54/59 of the Arms Act and 3 of Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) act, The Indian Express reported.
Maintaining that “no innocent person was killed”, the Haryana government said there was “no question of compensation” to the kin of the dead.
A top official of Haryana government told The Indian Express:
All these people were here to create violence and were going to any extent, attempting to murder policemen by using arms and explosive substances. Compensation is for those who suffered damages because of the violence created by these people.
CM Khattar Meets Amit Shah
Haryana CM ML Khattar met BJP Chief Amit Shah to sumbit a report on the violence that broke out after Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was convicted of raping two girls.
Speaking to the media, Khattar said:
I briefed Amit Shah about the situation in detail. We had complied with the court order. Those who ask for my resignation, can keep asking but I have done my job well.
Khattar also informed the media that the situation had normalised. On being reminded that Haryana’s BJP government had voiced support for Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s organisation Dera Sacha Sauda, he said:
It’s a democracy, we appeal to all groups and welcome support.That doesn’t mean you break the law.
He also said that Honeypreet Insan, Ram Rahim’s adoptive daughter appealed to CBI Court to be allowed into the court and jail premises but wasn’t allowed in.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Skipped Dinner Last Night
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh did not have food last night in the Sunaria jail in Rohtak.
The 50-year-old-self-styled godman drank only some water during the night and took milk in the morning, officials said. Ram Rahim did not talk with anyone and was seen roaming in the cell.
The Dera sect chief has been kept in the approval cell at Sunaria jail in Rohtak.