Dera chief verdict: Use force, weapon if needed, HC tells Haryana officers

Haryana: As tension prevails in Punjab and Haryana ahead of the verdict in a rape case against self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on Friday, the High Court has directed the Haryana officers to use force or weapon as per the need.

The High Court has also asked the Manohar Lal Khattar-government to use force if need arises.

“Use force if needed and file FIR against leaders if they make provocative statements,” the Punjab and Haryana High Court told the Haryana government led by Khattar.

A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court at Panchkula is scheduled to pronounce its verdict at 2:30 pm against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Singh in a case of sexual exploitation of two of his women followers. The CBI had registered the case in 2002.

Thousands of 'premis', what Dera followers are popularly known, have descended in Panchkula, which has virtually turned into a fortress. Prohibitory orders have already been clamped in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.

Heavy security has been deployed, not just in Panchkula, but across the two states in fear of violence if the verdict is against the Dera head.