High court reprimands Khattar for protecting Dera followers

A day after intense violence consumed 36 lives in less than 3-hours in Haryana, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Saturday came down heavily on the state government castigating chief minister Khattar for protecting Dera Sacha followers.

Lakhs of Dera followers had resorted to large scale violence and arson in Panchkula and elsewhere after the Special CBI court in Panchkula convicted Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh of rape and other charges.

He was taken straight into custody on Friday and flown to Rohtak jail where he will now spend time as prisoner No. 1997 behind bars.

The High Court bench of Chief Justice SS Saron, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Avneesh Jhingan chastened the government for protecting Dera followers.

The court has directed the recovery of the cost of property damage during the violence by selling assets of the Dera. Governments have been asked to submit a list of all the properties owned by the Sect. The high court asked the government to issue instructions to the Dera against alienating any of its properties till further orders. The Court observed, "Why had you allowed people to assemble for seven days. CM is protecting them."

At least 250 persons were injured in the violence after supporters of the Dera went berserk. The mob burnt 28 vehicles, including media OB vans and those belonging to the government. They



set on fire hearse vans, fire tenders and two government buildings.

Six private shops were damaged and two other structures, including an ATM of HDFC bank, were also set on fire. The High Court had earlier slammed the government for allowing lakhs of followers to enter Panchkula despite prohibitory section 144 in place.

Chandigarh's satellite township of Panchkula on Friday was burning and left at the mercy of goons of the Dera who ran amok. As violence spread, police resorted to gun fire that killed many. The quantum of punishment will be pronounced on Monday at Rohtak.

The bench came down heavily on the state for "misleading" it by furnishing wrong information on the number of vehicles in the convoy of the Dera chief. It asked for the name of the officer who provided the information to the AG.

Case

A Dera Sadhvi alleged rape by Sect chief in an anonymous letter in 2002 to then PM Vajpayee and High Court. The court took suo moto cognizance and directed the CBI to register a case. One of the women said the chief "justified" his acts on the grounds that it would purify her.

Two women recorded their statements before the court. CBI filed charge sheet in July 2007. In July 2017, day to day hearing was ordered. On Friday, the sect head was convicted of rape. The Dera chief is facing two murder cases besides other cases in courts.