What the judge said while sentencing Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh; reaction from lady victim and her family; and more
1) a) Gurmeet Ram Rahim was revered like a god... acted like a beast: What the court said during sentencing, http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gurmeet-ram-rahim-was-revered-like-a-god-acted-like-a-beast-what-the-cbi-judge-said-during-dera-chief-s-sentencing/story-aP9rVVdf1DuIWAGrd522UJ.html
b) Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh to serve 20 years in jail, http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/dera-sacha-sauda-chief-gurmeet-ram-rahim-singh-sentenced-to-20-year-rigorous-imprisonment-in-rohtak/article19575596.ece
The above articles report that the court said that Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh acted like a beast without sparing his pious disciples. "In other words, he’s a man who neither has concern for humanity nor has any mercy in his nature". "Both the victims had put Ram Rahim on the pedestal of God and revered him like that. However, he committed breach of gravest nature by sexually assaulting such gullible and blind followers. Such criminal acts of convict, who is stated to be heading a religious organisation — Dera Sacha Sauda at Sirsa — are bound to shatter image of pious sacred spiritual, social, cultural and religious institutions existing in the country since time immemorial. This, in turn, reflects irreparable damages caused by the acts of convict to the heritage of ancient land".
The judge justified his sentence by saying that society has suffered and not just the individuals, and that the punishment should be such that it will act as a deterrent to others.
The article clarifies that from the Rs. 15 lakh fine for each rape case, Rs. 14 lakh will be paid as rehabilitation to each victim. [Earlier reports claimed that each of the two victims would get the whole Rs. 15 lakh.]
The judge said, "Having regard to the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case, as well as rival contentions, this court is of the view that if acts of convict in sexually exploiting his own female disciples and intimidating them of dire consequences, is taken note of, then such kind of person does not deserve any sympathy of the court".
Ram Rahim Singh sought mercy on grounds of ill health, age, and his service to society work.
The prosecution argued against such mercy claiming that the victims worshipped Ram Rahim Singh as God and viewed him as a father. They said that the rape case was a "custodial rape" case and so was a more severe offence.
2) Wasn't scared of him then nor now, says woman who unmasked Ram Rahim, http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/wasnt-scared-then-not-scared-now-says-woman-who-unmasked-ram-rahim/article19576738.ece
This article covers a recent telephone conversation with one of the rape victims who testified against Ram Rahim Singh (conversation is also with family member(s) of the rape victim). The lady said she was not scared of Ram Rahim Singh when she testified and is not scared of him now. The lady is under police protection. The lady said, "I got justice today"! The article notes that the lady's brother, a former follower of Ram Rahim Singh, who left him after his sister's rape incidents, was later murdered allegedly by goons sent by Ram Rahim Singh [Separate murder case hearings against Ram Rahim Singh are ongoing]. So not only did the lady suffer the heinous crime of being raped (repeatedly, I read somewhere) but also lost her brother to murder!
The article states that the lady is married now and has two children. It states that she went to court only once to record her statement in 2009 at which time Ram Rahim Singh was also present in the court. For the other hearings her father, who died last year, attended the court. A relative is quoted in the article as saying, "The Dera chief's guards used to come to court with weapons. We were threatened, enticed and pressured to not pursue the case. The Dera management said they were ready to pay any amount quoted by us". The article reports that the lady came from an agricultural family and that the entire clan stood by her in fighting this case.
It reports that the lady was determined to get justice and was glued to the TV set since morning (on the day of the sentencing).
Ravi: I earnestly pray to God to bless the lady and her family and help heal the terrible wounds she and her family have suffered.
3) Not just damage, Dera should foot security bill too, says CM Amarinder Singh, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/not-just-damage-dera-should-foot-security-bill-too-says-cm/articleshow/60266998.cms
The article states that Punjab CM wants the Dera to foot the bill for the security forces and security work involved, including central reserve forces used, for which the centre would be sending their bill to the state.
4) a) On Ram Rahim, ex-CBI officers open can of worms, talk of political pressure, being accosted by Dera men, http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ram-rahim-cbi-officers-can-of-worms-political-pressure-accosted-by-dera-men/1/1036042.html
b) Manmohan Singh Had Backed CBI in Dera Chief Case, Says Investigation Chief, http://www.news18.com/news/india/manmohan-singh-had-backed-cbi-in-dera-chief-case-says-investigation-chief-1504379.html
The above two articles state that some Members of Parliament (MPs) from the states where the Dera mainly operates - Punjab and Haryana - actively lobbied with the CBI to stop their investigation. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh summoned the CBI chief to discuss the case. When PM Manmohan Singh was shown the statement made by the rape victim(s) before the judge, Singh supported the CBI and ordered them to go according to law. [Ravi: Kudos to PM Manmohan Singh for refusing to interfere with CBI's work in this case.]
5) A judge who was unfazed by Dera clout, http://www.deccanherald.com/content/630230/a-judge-unfazed-dera-clout.html
The above short article is about the CBI special judge Jagdeep Singh who delivered the verdict (and sentence).
6) Villagers near Dera ‘ready’ to face violence, http://www.asianage.com/india/all-india/290817/villagers-near-dera-ready-to-face-violence.html.
This article is about villagers around the Dera who are NOT Dera followers, being ready to counter any "frenzied followers" of the Dera who try to commit violence in their villages.
7) 5 policemen in Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh detail tried to free him, arrested, http://indianexpress.com/article/india/5-cops-in-dera-sacha-sauda-chief-detail-tried-to-free-him-arrested-gurmeet-ram-rahim-singh-4818408/
The above article is a very worrying one. Ram Rahim Singh had been provided a security detail from the government (as there had been death threats and even an attempt to kill him, if I recall correctly). The security detail was basically policemen/commandos mainly from the state of Haryana, but a few from Punjab as well, who were providing him that cover for past eight to twelve years. The worrying thing is that 5 of the 7 policeman in the security detail disobeyed the orders of the court and allegedly tried to free Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh by getting into a scuffle with the Inspector General of Police! The article also talks about an attempt by some of these 5 policemen to run over the other policemen who had arrested Ram Rahim Singh!
All these 5 policemen seem to have become his devotees over the years! All 5 were arrested and charged with sedition.
Two other Punjab Police commandos who were part of Ram Rahim Singh's security detail, fled the CBI court but were arrested from Sirsa for violation of orders.
My God! This is very serious stuff. Rebellion and sedition by Punjab and Haryana police who were his security detail!
8) Former Dera Sacha Sauda follower says, ‘Castrated sadhus were given licence to kill’, http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/former-dera-sacha-sauda-follower-says-castrated-sadhus-got-licence-to-kill/story-mD9JIZVx2bcJcv7DxxNVnO.html
Ravi: I have made an exception in listing the above article as it has, as of now, allegations (not proven statements) against Ram Rahim Singh. There is a separate case against him on these castrations (allegedly by him and his henchmen). As the article is based on a person's direct alleged experiences of this castration, and the horrendous ways in which these castrated people were then attempted to be used (or were used), I thought of listing it. Readers should be aware that the article is based on allegations which have not yet been declared as the truth by an Indian court of law, as far as I know.
If the allegations are true, then this Dera sect top people who were involved in such matters are EVIL MONSTERS who were attempting to create (or created) a castrated slave group of people who would do whatever they were told to do (including killing people).
9) Gurmeet Ram Rahim: Despite jail sentence, women followers say faith in pitaji intact, http://indianexpress.com/article/india/gurmeet-ram-rahim-despite-jail-sentence-women-followers-say-faith-in-pitaji-intact-4818604/
Ravi: This is the shocking thing! Perhaps the ladies mentioned in the article have been fed only Dera propaganda and have not been exposed to other news sources. Hopefully that will change as the Dera HQ is being emptied.
The article has acccounts of ladies who are deeply grateful to Ram Rahim Singh for the good that he did to them and their families. These ladies refuse to believe that he is guilty of the heinous crime of rape that the CBI court held him guilty for. They view it as a conspiracy by the govt./state against their spiritual leader/God Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh!
Ravi: I do hope that the extensive coverage Indian media has given to the horrors of the Dera Sacha Sauda which were exposed by this CBI court judgement and other accounts in the wake of that judgement, breaks through the Dera propaganda bubble that followers of the Dera like the above, seem to be trapped in.
10) Dera Sacha Sauda premises steadily emptying out under security vigil, http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/aug/29/dera-sacha-sauda-premises-steadily-emptying-out-under-security-vigil-1649809.html
The article reports that security forces ensured that many people were moved out of the Dera HQ. I think previous reports of a lakh (one hundred thousand) people being inside the Dera HQ were wildly exaggerated. Perhaps there were around 10,000 people inside (two centres: the new HQ and the old HQ). According to this article, the number of people inside the Dera HQ now is only around 200.
Fortunately, we have not heard of any horror camps within the Dera HQ. In fact, eighteen minor girls inside it, said they were happy there, and were healthy. They were forced to leave the Dera and the article states that they will be placed in (govt. run) juvenile homes.
[I thank hindustantimes.com, thehindu.com, indiatimes.com, intoday.in, news18.com, deccanherald.com, asianage.com, indianexpress.com and newindianexpress.com, and have presumed that they will not have any objections to me referring to their above articles on this post which is freely viewable by all, and does not have any financial profit motive whatsoever. Note that this post deals with public safety and well being.]
b) Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh to serve 20 years in jail, http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/dera-sacha-sauda-chief-gurmeet-ram-rahim-singh-sentenced-to-20-year-rigorous-imprisonment-in-rohtak/article19575596.ece
The above articles report that the court said that Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh acted like a beast without sparing his pious disciples. "In other words, he’s a man who neither has concern for humanity nor has any mercy in his nature". "Both the victims had put Ram Rahim on the pedestal of God and revered him like that. However, he committed breach of gravest nature by sexually assaulting such gullible and blind followers. Such criminal acts of convict, who is stated to be heading a religious organisation — Dera Sacha Sauda at Sirsa — are bound to shatter image of pious sacred spiritual, social, cultural and religious institutions existing in the country since time immemorial. This, in turn, reflects irreparable damages caused by the acts of convict to the heritage of ancient land".
The judge justified his sentence by saying that society has suffered and not just the individuals, and that the punishment should be such that it will act as a deterrent to others.
The article clarifies that from the Rs. 15 lakh fine for each rape case, Rs. 14 lakh will be paid as rehabilitation to each victim. [Earlier reports claimed that each of the two victims would get the whole Rs. 15 lakh.]
The judge said, "Having regard to the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case, as well as rival contentions, this court is of the view that if acts of convict in sexually exploiting his own female disciples and intimidating them of dire consequences, is taken note of, then such kind of person does not deserve any sympathy of the court".
Ram Rahim Singh sought mercy on grounds of ill health, age, and his service to society work.
The prosecution argued against such mercy claiming that the victims worshipped Ram Rahim Singh as God and viewed him as a father. They said that the rape case was a "custodial rape" case and so was a more severe offence.
2) Wasn't scared of him then nor now, says woman who unmasked Ram Rahim, http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/wasnt-scared-then-not-scared-now-says-woman-who-unmasked-ram-rahim/article19576738.ece
This article covers a recent telephone conversation with one of the rape victims who testified against Ram Rahim Singh (conversation is also with family member(s) of the rape victim). The lady said she was not scared of Ram Rahim Singh when she testified and is not scared of him now. The lady is under police protection. The lady said, "I got justice today"! The article notes that the lady's brother, a former follower of Ram Rahim Singh, who left him after his sister's rape incidents, was later murdered allegedly by goons sent by Ram Rahim Singh [Separate murder case hearings against Ram Rahim Singh are ongoing]. So not only did the lady suffer the heinous crime of being raped (repeatedly, I read somewhere) but also lost her brother to murder!
The article states that the lady is married now and has two children. It states that she went to court only once to record her statement in 2009 at which time Ram Rahim Singh was also present in the court. For the other hearings her father, who died last year, attended the court. A relative is quoted in the article as saying, "The Dera chief's guards used to come to court with weapons. We were threatened, enticed and pressured to not pursue the case. The Dera management said they were ready to pay any amount quoted by us". The article reports that the lady came from an agricultural family and that the entire clan stood by her in fighting this case.
It reports that the lady was determined to get justice and was glued to the TV set since morning (on the day of the sentencing).
Ravi: I earnestly pray to God to bless the lady and her family and help heal the terrible wounds she and her family have suffered.
3) Not just damage, Dera should foot security bill too, says CM Amarinder Singh, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/not-just-damage-dera-should-foot-security-bill-too-says-cm/articleshow/60266998.cms
The article states that Punjab CM wants the Dera to foot the bill for the security forces and security work involved, including central reserve forces used, for which the centre would be sending their bill to the state.
4) a) On Ram Rahim, ex-CBI officers open can of worms, talk of political pressure, being accosted by Dera men, http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ram-rahim-cbi-officers-can-of-worms-political-pressure-accosted-by-dera-men/1/1036042.html
b) Manmohan Singh Had Backed CBI in Dera Chief Case, Says Investigation Chief, http://www.news18.com/news/india/manmohan-singh-had-backed-cbi-in-dera-chief-case-says-investigation-chief-1504379.html
The above two articles state that some Members of Parliament (MPs) from the states where the Dera mainly operates - Punjab and Haryana - actively lobbied with the CBI to stop their investigation. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh summoned the CBI chief to discuss the case. When PM Manmohan Singh was shown the statement made by the rape victim(s) before the judge, Singh supported the CBI and ordered them to go according to law. [Ravi: Kudos to PM Manmohan Singh for refusing to interfere with CBI's work in this case.]
5) A judge who was unfazed by Dera clout, http://www.deccanherald.com/content/630230/a-judge-unfazed-dera-clout.html
The above short article is about the CBI special judge Jagdeep Singh who delivered the verdict (and sentence).
6) Villagers near Dera ‘ready’ to face violence, http://www.asianage.com/india/all-india/290817/villagers-near-dera-ready-to-face-violence.html.
This article is about villagers around the Dera who are NOT Dera followers, being ready to counter any "frenzied followers" of the Dera who try to commit violence in their villages.
7) 5 policemen in Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh detail tried to free him, arrested, http://indianexpress.com/article/india/5-cops-in-dera-sacha-sauda-chief-detail-tried-to-free-him-arrested-gurmeet-ram-rahim-singh-4818408/
The above article is a very worrying one. Ram Rahim Singh had been provided a security detail from the government (as there had been death threats and even an attempt to kill him, if I recall correctly). The security detail was basically policemen/commandos mainly from the state of Haryana, but a few from Punjab as well, who were providing him that cover for past eight to twelve years. The worrying thing is that 5 of the 7 policeman in the security detail disobeyed the orders of the court and allegedly tried to free Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh by getting into a scuffle with the Inspector General of Police! The article also talks about an attempt by some of these 5 policemen to run over the other policemen who had arrested Ram Rahim Singh!
All these 5 policemen seem to have become his devotees over the years! All 5 were arrested and charged with sedition.
Two other Punjab Police commandos who were part of Ram Rahim Singh's security detail, fled the CBI court but were arrested from Sirsa for violation of orders.
My God! This is very serious stuff. Rebellion and sedition by Punjab and Haryana police who were his security detail!
8) Former Dera Sacha Sauda follower says, ‘Castrated sadhus were given licence to kill’, http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/former-dera-sacha-sauda-follower-says-castrated-sadhus-got-licence-to-kill/story-mD9JIZVx2bcJcv7DxxNVnO.html
Ravi: I have made an exception in listing the above article as it has, as of now, allegations (not proven statements) against Ram Rahim Singh. There is a separate case against him on these castrations (allegedly by him and his henchmen). As the article is based on a person's direct alleged experiences of this castration, and the horrendous ways in which these castrated people were then attempted to be used (or were used), I thought of listing it. Readers should be aware that the article is based on allegations which have not yet been declared as the truth by an Indian court of law, as far as I know.
If the allegations are true, then this Dera sect top people who were involved in such matters are EVIL MONSTERS who were attempting to create (or created) a castrated slave group of people who would do whatever they were told to do (including killing people).
9) Gurmeet Ram Rahim: Despite jail sentence, women followers say faith in pitaji intact, http://indianexpress.com/article/india/gurmeet-ram-rahim-despite-jail-sentence-women-followers-say-faith-in-pitaji-intact-4818604/
Ravi: This is the shocking thing! Perhaps the ladies mentioned in the article have been fed only Dera propaganda and have not been exposed to other news sources. Hopefully that will change as the Dera HQ is being emptied.
The article has acccounts of ladies who are deeply grateful to Ram Rahim Singh for the good that he did to them and their families. These ladies refuse to believe that he is guilty of the heinous crime of rape that the CBI court held him guilty for. They view it as a conspiracy by the govt./state against their spiritual leader/God Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh!
Ravi: I do hope that the extensive coverage Indian media has given to the horrors of the Dera Sacha Sauda which were exposed by this CBI court judgement and other accounts in the wake of that judgement, breaks through the Dera propaganda bubble that followers of the Dera like the above, seem to be trapped in.
10) Dera Sacha Sauda premises steadily emptying out under security vigil, http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/aug/29/dera-sacha-sauda-premises-steadily-emptying-out-under-security-vigil-1649809.html
The article reports that security forces ensured that many people were moved out of the Dera HQ. I think previous reports of a lakh (one hundred thousand) people being inside the Dera HQ were wildly exaggerated. Perhaps there were around 10,000 people inside (two centres: the new HQ and the old HQ). According to this article, the number of people inside the Dera HQ now is only around 200.
Fortunately, we have not heard of any horror camps within the Dera HQ. In fact, eighteen minor girls inside it, said they were happy there, and were healthy. They were forced to leave the Dera and the article states that they will be placed in (govt. run) juvenile homes.
[I thank hindustantimes.com, thehindu.com, indiatimes.com, intoday.in, news18.com, deccanherald.com, asianage.com, indianexpress.com and newindianexpress.com, and have presumed that they will not have any objections to me referring to their above articles on this post which is freely viewable by all, and does not have any financial profit motive whatsoever. Note that this post deals with public safety and well being.]
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