Even as Punjab and Haryana remain on high alert, the special Central Investigation of Bureau (CBI) Court on Thursday reserved its judgement in the case of sexual exploitation against Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for 25 August.
At the conclusion of arguments from both sides, the special CBI judge Jagdeep Singh adjourned the matter till 25 August when the court in Panchkula is expected to deliver the much-awaited judgment.
Meanwhile, the states of Haryana and Punjab have been put on high alert keeping in view the sensitivity of the matter as Dera has lakhs of followers in both the states and they may resort to violence in case the judgment goes against the controversial godman.
A video conference was also held on Thursday between Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) BS Sandhu and senior police officers posted in the field to review the law and order situation in the state.
Sandhu said that the state has been put on high alert and the Central government has been requested for 150 companies of the Para-military forces.Besides, the leave of police personnel in Haryana have been cancelled keeping in view the development, he added. The state government on Thursday has also deputed Ashwin Shenvi as new SP of Sirsa, where the Dera Sacha Sauda is based.
Apart from Sirsa and Panchkula, elaborate security arrangements have been made in Punjabi speaking areas.
Similarly, the state of Punjab which had witnessed clashes between the Sikhs and Dera followers on various occasions, has also sought 250 companies of central forces.
It was 2002, when the CBI registered the case against the Dera chief on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court after anonymous letters were circulated about alleged sexual exploitation of female followers.
The letters alleged that the female followers were raped by the Dera chief. The Central probing agency had filed the charge sheet in the said matter in 2007 while the charges were framed in 2008.