'Premis' abandon Baba lockets for fear of arrest

Perturbed over the conviction of Baba Ram Rahim in a rape case on Friday, many of his followers in the Malwa belt were learnt to be immersing the 'Dera' lockets in running water (jal parva). These lockets carried the picture of the Baba.

The vehicles carrying back Premis from Panchkula when searched by the police at the 'nakas' in Bhatinda led to no recoveries. All the premis had also taken off their lockets which otherwise were their prized possessions. Reports of immersion of lockets were also pouring in from Mansa and Sangrur.

Manjit Singh (name changed) of Bathinda, said in a telephonic conversation that he feared arrest in the incidents of arson. "I was not involved, but since I am a prominent follower of the Dera, I fear arrest," he said. There was palpable fear among the 'Premis' who could never imagine that their 'Pita ji' (father) could stoop so low.

Interesting tales of extravagant living of Baba were now being revealed by insiders. Baba had a cavalcade of 16 imported cars, and another set of 18 cars with redesigned interiors. He also maintained around 10 horses of a special breed. Often the Baba went for a horse ride with his three daughters and a son inside the Dera premises.

The 'Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa' owned 45 sprawling 'Ashrams' and over 100 smaller Naam Charcha Ghars in the country. The 'Naam Charcha Ghars' were also located in the US and Canada.

It is further revealed that almost every week, ru-ba-ru programme was organised in the auditorium wherein the seats were sold at a premium. The ones who wanted to sit by the side of the Baba had to pay Rs 1.50 lakh. Other seats were sold from Rs 1,000 to Rs 10,000 per seat.