India: News report reveals contact between police and Dera Sacha Sauda followers in Haryana before Ram Rahim verdict

'Top Haryana officers were in touch with Dera followers before Ram Rahim verdict'

Manjeet Sehgal
Chandigarh
March 28, 2018

HIGHLIGHTS

Senior officers were in touch with Dera followers before violence
Violence accused Jasveer Singh claimed to be in touch with Panchkula officers
Disclosure made in affidavit submitted to Punjab and Haryana HC

Senior administrative officers of the Haryana government were in touch with Dera Sacha Sauda followers before the days leading up to the conviction of the sect's founder Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh last August, the Panchkula duty magistrate and SDM Pankaj Setia has told the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Setia said that he, along with other senior administrative officers, were in touch with the Dera followers who were later accused of large-scale violence in the aftermath of Ram Rahim's conviction on the orders of then Panchkula Deputy Commissioner Gori Prasad Joshi.

Joshi is believed to have have set up a 'peace committee' in order to maintain peace and control the influx of Dera followers who had gathered in large numbers in Panchkula ahead of a court hearing that ultimately convicted Ram Rahim on two counts of rape.

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https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/-top-haryana-officers-were-in-touch-with-dera-followers-before-ram-rahim-verdict-1199411-2018-03-28