Ashram searched, security tightened ahead of Dera chief’s sentencing

GURUGRAM: Police, accompanied by district administration officials, carried out a search of the premises of Naam Charcha Ghar, the prayer hall of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect, located in Sector 51. They were following orders of deputy commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh, who had asked to find out if the premises contained any incriminating object, said a police official.

DCP (traffic) Simardeep Singh, who has been looking after Gurgaon’s security in the absence of police commissioner Sandeep Khirwar, said the premises were searched but not sealed. “The search was carried out to find if there were any weapons, including sticks and truncheons inside the premises, which could be used to incite violence,” he said. However, according to sources, the rooms inside the large complex, located in South City 2, were sealed.

The search operation, which lasted for several hours, was videographed. An inventory of things present inside the prayer hall was made. Living quarters of the staff who work in the prayer hall and maintain it, were also searched by police, in the presence of Bharat Bhushan Gogia, SDM (north) and ACP (DLF) Harinder Singh. Attendance of followers who visited the prayer hall had fallen sharply since Friday’s high court judgement, in which Gurmeet Ram Rahim was convicted of rape.


TOI had earlier reported district officials, acting on orders of the high court, had also ordered tehsildars and sub-divisional magistrates to compile a list of all Dera properties in the district. “We’re assessing all moveable and immovable properties of Dera Sacha Sauda in Gurgaon. We’ve also asked banks to give us details of all bank accounts held by the Dera,” Vinay Pratap Singh had told TOI.

Meanwhile, in anticipation of Monday’s ruling, in which the quantum of punishment for the guru will be announced, police has further stepped up security measures. DCP Singh said while existing duties remain, district borders, especially around Jhajjar and Delhi, are being closely monitored. “We’re checking cars and other vehicles arriving or leaving the city,” he said.

Police personnel stationed at installations such as water houses, electricity sub-divisions, etc, will be maintained, said Singh. “Patrolling has also been stepped up. There are 37 duty magistrates who have been out on patrolling duty, along with teams from every police station,” said Singh. The Gurgaon police contingent that was dispatched as back up to Panchkula has also returned, and will be included in patrolling duties.

The district has been an exception in not implementing closure of schools and offices. The DCP said people should continue with their everyday lives. “There’s no need to panic. Police is on job for the protection of people,” he said.