Government withdraws access to airport VIP lounges for Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh

NEW DELHI: The Modi government has withdrawn Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's privilege to use VIP lounges at airports across the country.

"It has now been directed to withdraw the permission for use reserved lounge at airports granted to Shri Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, chief of Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa," read a letter by the aviation ministry dated September 1, 2017.

Interestingly, the order comes days after the Dera Sacha Sauda chief has been convicted in rape cases and jailed for 20 years.

Ram Rahim Singh was in the list of 51 category of people, who were allowed to use VIP lounges at airports across the country.

On August 28, 2017, a special CBI court sentenced Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh to 20 years in prison – 10 years each for two rape cases.

The CBI court also fined the Dera chief Rs 30 lakh for three separate offences including attempt to murder and criminal intimidation.