The railways suffered an estimated loss of Rs 27.61 crore in Ferozepur division due to cancellation of trains in the last four days after the rape

The CBI court which sentenced Gurmeet Ram Rahim, chief of the Dera Sacha Sauda, has clarified that he has been sentenced to 20 years and not 10 years to prison. 

AS Dhillon, IG Sirsa, holds a press conference after the sentencing of Ram Rahim saying there has been no incident of violence today after the sentencing. "Please be assured that no guilty will be spared during the violence probe. We are working to identify those who were behind the instigation of violence. There are still more than 1000 people inside the Dera, but numbers have come down significantly. Curfew will be imposed in Punjab's Barnala from 9 pm today till 9 am tomorrow.

Thousands of paramilitary troops and anti-riot police blocked all roads near the Rohtak prison where the sentencing was carried out. The Army was also on standby. Residents were warned to stay indoors and large gatherings were banned in Rohtak. All schools and colleges in Haryana were closed today.

On Friday, in Barnala district, a telephone exchange at village Channawal was vandalized and two men tried to put it on fire.

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was sentenced on Monday to 10 years in prison for rape, as security forces in Haryana and Punjab went on high alert to prevent possible violence by his followers.


Image: Security forces carry out a flag march in Punjab's Barnala after the sentencing of Ram Rahim Singh.

PV Ramana, father of Indian badminton superstar PV Sindhu said on Monday he was disappointed that her daughter lost in the World Badminton Championships final and added that it was for the first time he saw her crying after the match.

The Rio Olympic silver-medallist gave it her all in the breathtaking final of the women's singles event, but she had to eventually settle for the silver at the World Championships.

In a close summit showdown that lasted for one hour and 50 minute, the longest match of the tournament so far, Sindhu lost 19-21, 22-20, 20-22 to Nozomi Okuhara of Japan.

"I am a bit disappointed about the loss in the finals. But she exhibited a fighting spirit against Okuhara. I am happy that she (Sindhu) fought well till the last point," Ramana told ANI.

"First time I saw Sindhu crying that she has lost. It is good that both Okuhara and Sindhu have shown the world their class of badminton. I am happy with the performance of my daughter," he added.

Ramana, who himself is a former volleyball player, further insisted that he was overwhelmed with the love and support that his daughter was getting from the people of India.

He, however, said that for a player a gold is a gold and silver is a silver.

Anshul Chhatrapati, son of slain journalist who exposed the Dera rapes, said he is satisfied with the sentencing. Have been saying since long that Ram Rahim Singh is enemy of our society.

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for the rape of two women followers. The 50-year-old wept for forgiveness as Judge Jagdeep Singh pronounced the sentence. "Mujhe maaf karo," Ram Rahim wept clinging to the chair in the jail-courtroom in Haryana's Rohtak.


Ram Rahim's lawyers had pleaded for a lighter sentence saying he was a social worker and said they would appeal in a higher court.  The CBI has sought a life term and has already moved an application to the effect.


He has been sent for a medical examination and then will be given a prison uniform and will be allotted a jail cell. He has been allotted #1997 as a prisoner.

Journalist Sanjiv Mahajan, who revealed that Dera Sach Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's adopted daughter Honeypreet Insan was taken in a chopper with him to Rohtak's Sunaria jail, where she stayed for long, on Monday said that the self-styled godman had threatened the jail authority of getting them suspended by using his connection with chief ministers and big politicians, when the Director General of jail refused entry to Honeypreet after a couple of hours."

As soon as Baba was convicted of rape, an application was filed by his lawyers saying that Baba has a back ache and suffers with migraine for which he be given a one-plus-one attendant. The CBI judge did not give any orders, citing it outside his jurisdiction, and that if Honeypreet willingly wants to stay with him, then government or jail authority can give approval," Mahajan told ANI.

Mahajan informed that Honeypreet accompanied Ram Rahim to the Rohtak Jail, but after about two-and-a-half hours, she was taken away.

"She stayed there for two-and-a-half hours, after which the DG objected and she was taken away," he said.

Sources say that Baba became furious for not allowing Honeypreet to stay with him, and threatened to make phone calls, but the police refused access to a phone, and then he threatened that he will talk to the chief ministers and other big politicians and can get the jail authorities suspended, he added, informing that the police refused to budge from their stand in spite of the threat.

Speaking on the big convoy that Baba Ram Rahim had brought on the day of hearing, Mahajan said that he had brought 700 to 800 vehicles with himself, which met with seven accidents in different locations along the way.

Meanwhile, about 73 vehicles had entered Panchkula, out of which only three were allowed to enter the court premises.

"Baba got his car inspected, but refused the inspection of his second car. To avoid any ruckus, the police complied, but later it was Baba's second car in which an AK-47, revolvers, and petrol were seized," disclosed Mahajan.

Ram Rahim to move court against the 10-year jail term. Haryana CM ML Khattar calls for emergency meeting in the aftermath of the sentencing. After the sentencing, Ram Rahim clung to his chair in the courtroom at the Rohtak jail and said he felt uneasy. Doctors were called in, but he was pronounced healthy.

Meanwhile, vehicles have been torched in Sirsa. 

Ram Rahim Singh fined Rs 50,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 in three different cases. Reports says Ram Rahim still crying on the floor of the courtroom and had to be dragged out of the courtroom. He is now prisoner #1997.

The CBI wants an enhanced sentence; the victims will also appeal the sentencing. 

Medical examination of Ram Rahim Singh is being done, after this he will be given a jail uniform and will be allotted a cell in jail. He will be allowed to sets of clothes. 

CBI special court judge Jagdeep Singh has sentenced Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh to 10 years in jail for rape and criminal intimidation of two female disciples in 2002. The Dera chief was held guilty by a special CBI court in the 2002 rape case in Panchkula on Friday, following which the Dera supporters went on a rampage setting fire to vehicles and railway stations, and damaging public and private properties. The CBI had asked for 10 years in jail.

At least 38 people were killed and more than 250 injured in violence in Panchkula and Sirsa.

The violence also spread to several other parts of Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Noida that led to Section 144  being imposed in parts of Haryana and Delhi.

Ram Rahim was flown out of Panchkula in a helicopter after his conviction as his followers broke into rioting and arson. To prevent a repeat, the judge is delivering the sentence at the Rohtak prison today.

Moments before the sentencing, two vehicles set on fire in Phulka village in Sirsa by Dera supporters.

Ram Rahim sentencing, arguments begin: Prosecution demands maximum punishment for rape convict, which is a life term.

Special CBI Judge Jagdeep Singh has allotted 10 minutes each to both sides to put forth their arguments. A teary-eyed Ram Rahim Singh appeals for clemency as arguments are being heard in the CBI courtroom, says ABP News.

Defence argues that Ram Rahim is a social worker who has worked for the welfare of people, so the judge should take a lenient view. 

Ram Rahim sentencing: Judge Jagdeep Singh will pronounce the sentence against the 50-year-old sect head in a special court room within the Sunaria jail complex, which lies on the outskirts of the city, amid tight security. Before pronouncing the sentence, he will hear arguments on the quantum from both sides.

"The chopper carrying the honourable judge has reached Sunaria," Rohtak's Deputy Superintendent of Police Ramesh Kumar said over phone.

The helicopter took off from Chandigarh in the afternoon. "A special courtroom has been made on the instructions of the high court within the jail and proceedings will be carried out there, which are expected to be conducted at around 2:30 pm," Rohtak Range IG, Navdeep Singh Virk had said.

Ram Rahim sentencing: Both the Haryana Special CBI judge Jagdeep Singh and Ram Rahim's lawyer SK Narwana reaches Rohtak's Sonaria jail for the quantum of sentence hearing which will be held inside the makeshift court in Rohtak jail.

The sentencing is expected to at 2:30 pm. Following the conviction of Ram Rahim, there were 28 incidents of arson, besides damage to state, central government offices or properties in seven districts of the Malwa region in Punjab.

Special Forces and the police are at alert and barricades have been put at about three kilometers from the jail where Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is locked up, ahead of the court proceedings against the rape convict.

According to recent reports, the media is also stationed near the barricades that have been put around the Sunaria Jail in Rohtak.Also, shoot-at-sight orders have been issued for anybody, who tries to venture inside the boundary or who tries to harm himself or others prior to or in the aftermath of the sentencing.


IMAGE: The unrest which began in Panchkula on Friday spread to other parts of Haryana and Punjab and New Delhi. Photograph: Vijay Verma/PTI Photo

Special Forces and police are at alert and barricades have been put at about three kilometers from the jail where Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is locked up, ahead of the court proceedings against the rape convict.

The court proceedings against the rape convict are scheduled to begin at 2:30 pm today.

According to recent reports, the media is also stationed near the barricades that have been put around the Sunaria Jail in Rohtak.

Shoot-at-sight orders have been issued for anybody, who tries to venture inside the boundary or who tries to harm himself or others prior to or in the aftermath of the sentencing.

A CBI officer is inside the jail premises, who is the only point of contact for the media with the proceedings inside the jail.

The barricades have been especially put so that media cannot enter the premises, in and around the jail, and although the police and the paramilitary forces are at alert, there is no special security for the media personnel covering the trial.

Earlier, Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) BS Sandhu had revealed that 52 cases were registered so far and 926 arrests were made.

AAP candidate Ram Chander wins Bawana bypoll, defeats BJP's Ved Prakash by 24052 votes in Delhi. AAP's Ram Chander gets 59886 votes, BJP's Ved Prakash gets 35834 votes and Congress's Surender Kumar gets 31919 votes.

Pakistani businesses find the Chinese too mechanical and rigid to deal with. Accustomed to a Western business negotiation and partnership style they found the predetermined and strictly limited terms of engagement of our Oriental partners a bit unsettling. Read more

Two months after the Doklam standoff, both India and China have finally decided to withdraw troops from the tri-junction. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Monday that in recent weeks India and China have maintained diplomatic communications on Doklam.

"In recent weeks, India and China have maintained diplomatic communication in respect of the incident at Doklam. During these communications, we were able to express our views and convey our concerns and interests," the statement said.

"On this basis, expeditious disengagement of border personnel at the face-off site at Doklam has been agreed to and is on-going," the MEA statement further said.

The Indian Army has been engaged in a border standoff with Chinese troops for over two months when the Indian troops stopped the Peoples Liberation Army from building a road in the Doklam area.

The MEA said Chinese troops were moving back and border disengagement was ongoing.

Horseback cops keep vigil outside the Rohtak jail. 

A spike strip on the road outside Sunaria jail in Rohtak where Ram Rahim will be sentenced. 

Visuals of security close to Rohtak's Sunaria jail, ahead of the sentencing of Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Ram Rahim Singh in Haryana.

"I am a Sufi saint, and my job is to exterminate the evils of the society. Earlier, I did that via satsangs (discourses). Then, I started singing. When I sang classical, not many (people) turned up. But when I started singing what the youth listen to -- hip hop, rap etc -- they started pouring in."

The 2015 Rediff.com interview with Gurmeet Ram Rahim Insan. Do read

The chopper carrying Special CBI judge Jagdeep Singh leaves from Panchkula for Rohtak. 

The talks between Pakistan and the US on the new American strategy for South Asia got another setback on Sunday when Washington learned from Islamabad that Pakistan would like to reschedule talks with a senior US official that were to begin on Monday. Read more

Special CBI judge Jagdeep Singh leaves from Panchkula and is expected to reach Rohtak within 40 minutes. Court proceedings at Sunaria jail in Rohtak will begin at 2:30 pm. A special court room has been made within the Sunaria jail, Rohtak Range IG, Navdeep Singh Virk said. "The judge will be flown in by a special helicopter and will land in the helipad near to the Sunaria jail (on the outskirts of Rohtak city)," Virk said.

Haryana and Punjab were on high alert on Monday with elaborate security arrangements in place, particularly in sensitive areas to deal with any situation following the sentencing of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh by a Central Bureau of Investigation court in Sunaira jail in Rohtak.

A multi-layer security cordon manned by police and 23 companies of paramilitary forces has been thrown in and around Rohtak and also around the Sunaria Jail, which lies on the outskirts of the city limits.

In Delhi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, Home Secretary, Director IB and other Home Ministry officials were present at a meeting in North Block to discuss the security situation in Punjab, Haryana ahead of Ram Rahim Singh's sentencing.

Virk said the police had recovered around 100 objectionable items including batons from Sonipat's Bahalgarh Dera. The objectionable items were kept hidden in fields and interrogation of Dera officials is underway.

Judge Jagdeep Singh, while holding the Sirsa-based Dera chief guilty of raping two female followers more than 15 years ago, had on Friday said the quantum of sentence would be pronounced on August 28.

After the conviction in Panchkula, the self-styled godman was flown to Rohtak as his followers went on rampage in the town and many others parts of Haryana and Punjab. Thirty-six people were killed and over 269 injured in the violence.

Asaram Bapu rape case in Gujarat: Supreme Court questions Gujarat government about the slow trial in the case. The Court also asked the Gujarat Govt as to why the victim in the particular case has not been examined till now.

Two sisters from Surat had lodged separate complaints against Asaram and his son Narayan Sai, accusing them of rape and illegal confinement, among other charges.

The elder sister, in her complaint against Asaram, had accused him of repeated sexual assaults between 2001 and 2006 when she was staying at his ashram near Ahmedabad.

In the case in Rajasthan, a teenager had accused him of sexual assault at his ashram in Manai village near Jodhpur.

"I have not got an Aadhaar card because I know the history of surveillance in India. Why should the government force me to hand over my biometric details to it? It is absurd. As proof of identity, I have already a passport, a driver's license, a PAN card, my landline telephone bill, my electricity bill, the documents of my house, and my voter identity card. These are all valid forms of identity issued by the government. How many other things does it want from me and why?"

Aakar Patel on why he has not got himself an Aadhaar card. Read the column here

"I have not got an Aadhaar card because I know the history of surveillance in India. Why should the government force me to hand over my biometric details to it? It is absurd. As proof of identity, I have already a passport, a driver's license, a PAN card, my landline telephone bill, my electricity bill, the documents of my house, and my voter identity card. These are all valid forms of identity issued by the government. How many other things does it want from me and why?"

Aakar Patel on why he has not got himself an Aadhaar card. Read the column here

Congress leader Ahmed Patel takes oath as Rajya Sabha MP after a hard-won battle. With Patel is Vice President Venkaiah Naidu.

In Punjab, a flag march is being conducted by the police and the Rapid Action Force in Barnala ahead of rape convict Dera Chief Ram Rahim Singh's sentencing. The sentence is expected to be pronounced at around 2:30 pm. 

That's the new Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra being sworn in by President Ram Nath Kovind.

The former union defence minister and current Goa Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar, has registered a landmark victory in the Panaji by-polls by a margin of 4,803 votes.

The by-polls in Panaji were necessitated after Parrikar's return to state politics in March this year, as the Chief Minister.Parrikar, after winning the by-polls, said that he would resign from the Rajya Sabha in the coming week.


"Winning by such margin is great. The people are wise," he added.Parrikar came back to state politics after the Bharatiya Janata Party, despite not being the single-largest party in the state, went on to form the government with the help and alliance of Independents and other small parties.

Meanwhile, Vishwajit Rane, a former Congress leader who is now a minister in the state Cabinet, has also on the Valpoi seat for the BJP. He has won by a huge margin of 10,066 votes.

The Centre today said the situation in Haryana, which is braced for the sentencing of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, is tense but under control with the Army conducting flag march in sensitive areas. Officials said security has been tightened across Haryana while the Delhi Police is in full alert to foil any attempt by anyone to disturb peace.

CBI special court judge Jagdeep Singh, who declared the Dera chief guilty of rape and criminal intimidation of the two women disciples in 2002, will be flown to Rohtak at 11:30 am, where Ram Rahim has been lodged since Friday. All access to the jail on the outskirts of Rohtak has been blocked and close to 3,000 paramilitary troops have been stationed. So far, 10 deras have been sealed and over a 100 followers have been detained.

"As per report of the DGP control Room, Haryana, the situation is tense but under control. Columns of Army are doing flag march continuously," a Home Ministry spokesperson said.

As per the report, the total casualties due to the violence after the conviction of the Dera Sacha Sauda chief in a rape case is 35 (Panchkula-17, Sirsa-6 and Chandigarh-12) and a total 204 people were injured. The CBI court, which convicted the Dera chief, will pronounce the quantum of punishment in Sunaira Jail on the outskirts of Rohtak today.

Hours before the court proceedings against rape convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, scheduled to take place around 2:30 p. today, the Additional Director General of Police on Monday directed the district administration to be on high alert and arrange special security measures for any ruckus in the city.

ADGP Anand Kumar has directed the police to monitor the Dera Sacha Ashram and bases in the NCR. A high alert has been given to all districts of the Agra zone, and also to the Meerut Zone on the UP borders.

While necessary security arrangements have been made, instructions have also been given to the district administration to impose Section 144 when needed.Special vigilance and security arrangements have been made in the Meerut Zone.

Instructions have also been given for enhancing surveillance on the border areas adjoining Delhi-Haryana.Intensive checking of vehicles and police force deployment has been ordered on state borders.

Earlier in the day, the Delhi Police, while dismissing the same, said everything would function as normal."There are some rumours being spread on the WhatsApp and other platforms that schools will remain closed on Monday as the sentencing is scheduled. Also, we have also been told that rumours have been spread about gatherings of Ram Rahim's followers in parts of East Delhi. I would like to notify that all these are fake, and people must stop spreading them immediately," Madhur Verma, Delhi Police's Public Relations Officer told ANI.

A decisive meeting of the merged factions of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham will be held today to decide on the fate of jailed party general secretary V K Sasikala.

The AIADMK leaders will also deliberate upon T T V Dinakaran and his faction's jibes at the party office bearers.

The meeting will discuss the issue of 19 legislators giving a letter to Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao withdrawing their support to Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami and wanting a new chief minister.

According to reports, the meeting would also reiterate that the appointment of Dinakaran is invalid as he did not complete five years in the party as a member to hold a party post. -- ANI

JUST IN: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar wins Panaji bypoll with a margin of 4,803 votes.

Justice Dipak Misra was today sworn in as the 45th Chief Justice of India.

At a brief ceremony in the Darbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhawan, President Ram Nath Kovind administered the oath of office to Misra.

Justice Misra, 64, assumes office following the retirement of Justice J S Khehar yesterday.

Justice Misra will remain in office till October 2, 2018.

As per the established practice, Justice Khehar had named Misra as the next CJI last month. -- PTI

Photograph: ANI

Also read

• Meet India's new Chief Justice

Rohtak Range Inspector General of Police has said that no Dera Sacha Sauda follower will be allowed to enter the district ahead of the sentencing of rape convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim.

"We have ensured no Dera follower is allowed to enter the entire Rohtak district or move around jail," Virk said.

"Several barricades with strong police and paramilitary presence set up. We are ready to deal with any eventuality," he said.

Meanwhile, Internet services have resumed in Chandigarh.

In Delhi, PRO Madhur Verma requested people not to believe social media rumours saying schools are closed or route diversion.

"Schools are open. No need to panic, Delhi Police has made proper arrangements and deployment. Additional forces have also been mobilised. There are no metro rail diversions or restrictions, these are just rumours," Verma said.

Security was also enhanced outside Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar's residence. -- ANI

IMAGE: Security Personnel keeping strict vigil near Sunaria Jail in which Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Ram Rahims quamtum of punishment be awarded in Rohtak. Photograph: Kamal Singh/PTI Photo

Bharatiya Janata Party leader and senior advocate Subramanian Swamy has said that the punishment for rape convict Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was certain, eliminating the possibility of rebuttal of evidence against him.

"The evidence against Ram Rahim Singh is clear; any rebuttal at this point looks difficult. A punishment of seven years is guaranteed, which could even transcend to life imprisonment. I don't think he can be saved at this point," Swamy told ANI.

With regards to the security arrangements deployed ahead of the pronouncement of the quantum of the rape convict's sentence today, Swamy assured that the armed forces and police will go to any end to save the situation, keeping a strict vigil on the scenario. -- ANI

Punjab, Haryana and its neighbouring states are on the edge, as the quantum of sentence of Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim is scheduled to be pronounced today, at around 2.30 pm.

The self-styled godman was convicted of rape charges on Friday, following which his 'bhakts' went on a rampage in Panchkula and Sirsa, demanding justice for their leader.

In what was seen as a massive upheaval, an ocean of people resorted to vandalising public property -- by destroying public transport, burning vehicles and even attacking the media.

Haryana Director General of Police B S Sandhu revealed that 52 cases were registered and 926 people arrested so far.

Arrangements were made for the sitting of a Central Bureau of Investigation court in the Sunaria District Jail, where the rape convict is currently stationed, for the pronouncement of quantum of the sentence.

Meanwhile, Panchkula, Sirsa, Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring areas have been put on high alert, with paramilitary forces deployed in various pockets of the states.

Rohtak District Collector (DC) Atul Kumar stated that if any anti-social elements are spotted trying to harm themselves or others, shoot at sight orders will be passed immediately.

Additionally, to avoid unnecessary movement of vehicles around the Sunaria Jail, schools and colleges will remain closed. -- ANI

IMAGE: Security Personnel keeping strict vigil near Sunaria Jail in which Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Ram Rahims quamtum of punishment be awarded in Rohtak. Photograph: Kamal Singh/PTI Photo