JOIN USA special CBI court on Monday sentenced Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh to 20 years in jail in two separate rape cases.
Special CBI judge Jagdeep Singh held that Ram Rahim acted like a "wild beast" who did not spare his "pious" women disciples.
The court said that the convict committed a breach of the gravest nature by sexually assaulting "such gullible and blind followers" and did not deserve leniency from the court.
"The victims put the accused on the pedestal of god and revered him like that only. However, the convict committed a breach of the gravest nature by sexually assaulting such gullible and blind followers.
"Such criminal act of a particular individual/convict who is stated to be heading a religious organisation...is bound to shatter images of pious and sacred spiritual social cultural and religious institutions existing in the country since time immemorial," the judge said.
The court ordered a 10-year jail term in each of the two cases, which means that the sentence will run consecutively, not concurrently, over a period of 20 years.
The quantum of punishment was announced amid unprecedented security in Punjab and Haryana.
The court ordered a fine of Rs 15 lakh in each case, out of which Rs 14 lakh will be given to each victim.
The defence and the prosecution were allowed 10 mins each to submit their final comments.
While Ram Rahim’s lawyer sought leniency on the grounds that his client was sick and had done philanthropic work, the CBI counsel sought maximum punishment.
There was a heavy deployment of the army and paramilitary forces around the jail complex and entry to the courtroom was restricted.
The judge was flown in from Panchkula to the Rohtak jail where a library was turned into a makeshift courtroom for the hearing.
No major incident of violence or arson was reported from Haryana and Punjab on Monday. Both states, however, continue to remain on high alert.
The army is out in Sirsa and Rohtak to prevent a repeat of Friday’s violence. Authorities said they will not hesitate to fire gunshots at people who disrupt law and order.
In Punjab, the curfew will continue in five districts, and night curfew will continue in Mansa, Bathinda, Faridkot, Barnala, Samna and parts of Patiala.