Mobile internet and data services in Punjab Haryana and capital city Chandigarh were suspended today for the next 72-years ahead of the crucial verdict by a CBI court in the Dera Sacha Sauda chief rape case on Friday.
Punjab and Haryana are on high alert with over 2 lakh sect followers descending in Panchkula near here where the verdict will be pronounced tomorrow. Nearly 15,000 paramilitary personnel have been deployed in Punjab and Haryana to watch the potentially explosive situation. As many as 150 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed in the two states.
Followers have been squatting on roads and parks in the open for the last few days. At least 23 trains in the Northern railways were cancelled today. Schools colleges universities markets have been shut and buses will not be playing tomorrow.
Amid speculations that the Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh may evade his appearance before the court tomorrow, the sect head today tweeted saying that despite his back ache, he will appear before the court on Friday. The presence of lakhs of followers in Panchkula and across the two states poses a serious challenge for the government despite all the wherewithal at its disposal. The Punjab and Haryana High Court in Chandigarh in response to a petition rapped the Haryana government for allowing lakhs of people to gather despite prohibitory orders in place.
Ram Niwas, additional chief secretary, Home, Haryana said it had also been decided to request the ministry of railways to immediately stop all passenger trains coming to Chandigarh for two days.
Buses of Haryana roadways coming to Chandigarh and Panchkula have already been stopped for two days. Ten senior IPS officers have been deployed and to ensure peace and help maintain law and order in the state.
Timeline;
May 2002; High Court orders an inquiry into an anonymous complaint by a woman alleging sexual exploitation by Sect chief.
Sept 2002; HC hands over the case to CBI.
Dec 2002; Dera chief booked on rape and other charges.
Dec 2003-Oct 2004: Probe held up as SC grants stay.
July 2007: Chargesheet filed states he raped two followers between 1999 and 2001.
Aug 2008; Trial begins.
July 2016; Final arguments after 52 witnesses summoned.
July 2017: Day to day hearing.
August 25: Judgement Day.
Published 24 August 2017, 09:34 IST