Did Dera Sacha Sauda give Rs 5 crore for inciting violence before Ram Rahim verdict?

The photographs show several persons indulging in acts of violence in Panchkula on August 25 following conviction of Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case. In the photos, protestors are seen damaging vehicles including media OB vans, throwing stones and setting vehicles on fire. (Image: File)

Security was tightened around the Dera headquarters near Sirsa town on Wednesday following the approval granted by the Punjab and Haryana High Court to the Haryana government to search and sanitise the premises.

The Haryana Police had, last week, arrested five Dera followers in Ambala city and recovered Rs 38 lakh in cash from them, and are investigating the money link from the Dera side to instigate violence.

Haryana Director General of Police B.S. Sandhu said that the matter was under investigation. "We are investigating this. We are trying to nab two Dera functionaries, Chamkaur Singh and Nain, who are said to be involved in this," he said.

The Haryana Police is investigating claims that top Dera Sacha Sauda functionaries paid a 'supari' (contract) of Rs 5 crore to criminal elements to instigate violence in Panchkula and other places after sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's conviction for rape. (All images: PTI)