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| Edited By: DNA Web Team |Source: DNA webdesk |Updated: Sep 08, 2017, 02:52 PM IST
A fortnight after Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in rape cases, the security forces on Friday began search and sanitise operation inside the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Haryana's Sirsa.
Acting on the application filed by the Haryana government, Punjab and Haryana High Court has allowed the government to start the search operation under judicial supervision.
The search operation is being conducted under the supervision of the retired District and Session Judge A K S Pawar. According to reports, the operation could easily last a week.
"The Sirsa Dera is spread over 700 acres and there are a number of educational and health institutions inside. The government wanted a fair and transparent sanitization," Haryana AG Baldev Raj Mahajan said.
Security forces have been deployed at Satnaam Chowk, the main entrance to Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters. Curfew has been imposed in surrounding areas and there will be no relaxation till search operation is over.
41 Paramilitary companies, four Army columns, police personnel from four districts, bomb squad one SWAT team and one dog squad are deployed for search.
"Nearly 22 blacksmiths have been hired to break the numerous locks inside the Dera. Security forces have also created a satellite map to aid and facilitate the search operations on the massive campus," said report.
"Dera has always followed law. Appeal followers to maintain peace," said Dera Spokesperson Vipassana Insan,
During the trial for the quantum of sentencing, a special court at Rohtak prison had compared Ram Rahim Singh as a wild beast.
The court has fined Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Rs 15 lakh in each of the two cases, of which Rs 14 lakh each would go to the two victims who were part of his sect and were coerced into having sex with him.
The defence counsel sought leniency from the court arguing that Ram Rahim was active in social work and had health issues. He said he will appeal against the orders in a high court.
