Dera chief's NRI believers under scanner

The role of certain non-resident Indians (NRI) in inciting violence that broke out in Panchkula minutes after the Dera Sacha Sauda chief was convicted in two cases of rape last month has come under the scanner.

These NRI’s were a part of the convoy of 218 vehicles that escorted the sect head Gurmeet Ram Rahim from Sirsa to Panchkula on the day the judgement was pronounced by the special CBI court, it is learnt. The police are looking out for these alleged suspects who are believed to be NRI’s putting up in Australia and Italy.

As many as 40 persons were killed in violence in Panchkula and Sirsa, the epicentres of the violence on August 25. The questioning of the suspects would also lay bare the conspiracy behind the attempt made by personnel in Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s Z-plus security who attempted to free him soon after he was brought outside the premises of the Panchkula court complex following his conviction.

The main perpetrator of the offence, Honeypreet Insan, the “adopted” daughter of the sect chief, is still on the run with the police failing to nab her even after a month.

The Sect is headed for more trouble times ahead. The Income-tax authorities and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) are likely to begin probe into the assets acquired by the Dera and its finances. These directions were issued by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in Chandigarh on Wednesday. The directions for a scrutiny will apply to organizations and persons associated with the sect.

The commissioner appointed by the Court informed the full bench of the High Court that the report of the entire search operation that was carried out inside the Sect recently was almost ready and will be submitted to the court soon. The next date of hearing has been fixed for November 8.

The Court is yet to hear arguments on the vital issue as to who would pay for the damages, both of government and individual properties, that were destroyed by the arson on the ill-fated day of violence. According to sources, the Court commission in his report has found nothing incriminating during the search.