Haryana protecting Dera protesters: HC

Violence claims 36 lives; mob burns media vans

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Saturday came down heavily on the Manohar Lal Khattar government in Haryana for “protecting” Dera Sacha followers.

The court also slammed the government, a day after intense violence consumed 36 lives in less than three hours in Haryana, for providing “political patronage” to the protesters.

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 in 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 S S Saron, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Avneesh Jhingan said the government ‘surrendered before the followers for political considerations’. The massive build up of Dera followers and the lack of action to evict them was a political surrender, it said.

The court has directed the state government that the damages due to violence be recovered by selling the Dera’s assets. Instructions to the Dera are being issued not to alienate any of its properties till further orders.

At least 250 people 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 Section 144 in place.

As violence spread, police resorted to gunfire that killed many. The quantum of punishment will be pronounced on Monday at Rohtak. The bench lashed out at the state for “misleading” it by furnishing wrong information on the number of vehicles in the convoy of the Dera chief.