Apart from the influence that it peddles, the Dera owns huge real estate with hundreds of crore.
With Gurmeet Ram Rahim likely to spend a significant part of the next few years, if not the rest of his life, behind bars or trying to stay out of prison, one question that everyone wants answered is: what will become of one of the largest religious Deras — Dera Sacha Sauda — which he has been lording over for last 27 years.
Apart from the influence that it peddles, the Dera owns huge real estate with hundreds of crore.
While speculation is rife that Gurmeet Ram Rahim's adopted daughter Honeypreet Kaur could be the one running the show in the Dera chief's absence, there are many, including influential followers of the controversial chief, who may be averse to her taking over.
Considered the Dera chief's closest confidant, Honeypreet has been a significant presence alongside the Dera chief — she was the only one allowed inside the Special CBI Court in Panchkula.
She had also insisted on remaining with him in District jail, Rohtak, a move that generated a lot of controversy.
However, she is not much liked within the Dera, especially by Rahim's family. "Allegations had surfaced in 2012 over her alleged close relationship with Dera chief, when her divorced husband lambasted her. But he later withdrew the case," a former Dera follower from Sirsa told DNA.
Another name that has emerged is of Vipasna, the Dera chairperson whose statements have gained prominence. A sadhvi in her late thirties, she has begun to take center-stage in Dera meetings of the state committee members. "She manages everything. We approach her to discuss the plan of action for organising sangats. When Maharaj goes outside, she manages the Dera," says a member of the state-committee from Punjab.
A very closely-guarded Dera, where each person is bound by secrecy code, the statements only come from the Dera Spokesperson, Aditya Insaan, who has now been booked for sedition. The AIIMS educated ophthalmologist hails from Gorakhpur and is the master-strategist who wields immense power in decision-making and execution. After being booked by Haryana Police for sedition and for allegedly instigating the Dera followers in Panchkula, Aditya is now absconding.
As mayhem hits the largest Dera, which controls a major vote bank in Punjab and Haryana, the tussle to gain control over it is expected to come to the fore.
Anointed as head of the Dera in 1990 after Shah Satnaam Singh who died in 1991, Rahim has two daughters, eldest Amarpreet and Charanpreet, both of whom are married and son Jasmeet who lives with his mother and Dera chief's wife in a luxurious house inside the Dera. "Maharaj's wife does not engage in day-to day activities of the Dera, as she remains occupied in her domestic life with children," a Sangrur-based Dera follower told DNA.
When asked, who will next lead the Dera, with their chief behind bars, Harinder, a state core-committee member of Dera, said, "For us, it is our Maharaj ji. He was the only one. We do not know what is going to happen next. Our Naam Charcha ghars have also been sealed. We are busy taking care of our sangat. Vipasna Insaan is our chairperson. We will wait for next decision."
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