Several in race to inherit Dera Sacha Sauda’s massive fortune

NEW DELHI: With Dera Sacha Sauda chief in jail for 20 years, speculation over who will succeed him has taken centre-stage in the organisation’s Sirsa headquarters and among his followers, said to be in crores. In 2007, when rape charges were framed against Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, he had named his son, Jasmeet Singh Insan, as his successor. But that was a decade ago and things are different today. First, the dera, founded by Shah Mastana Balochistani in 1948, has traditionally never seen succession in a bloodline. Secondly, Jasmeet has two very tough competitors.

Honeypreet Insan, who calls herself ‘Papa’s angel’ and has shadowed him for over 20 years besides being the director-actress in most of his films, is the strongest contender. The influence she holds over the sect’s followers is substantial. Besides, she has already been handling dera affairs as a close confidante of its chief. What works against her is that Haryana police on Friday issued a lookout notice and charged her with sedition for her attempt to free the dera head after his conviction on Friday.

Perhaps, the most serious of all contenders is Brahmachari Vipasana, the nambardaar or second-in-command of the dera. The 35-year-old has risen through the ranks to head the dera’s management and was authorised by Ram Rahim to take all decisions on behalf of the dera in his absence.


There is no estimate of the Dera’s wealth but it is said to be worth hundreds of crores. Their headquarters in Sirsa is spread over 700 acres, with a state-of-the-art hospital, shopping complex, educational institutions and an auditorium the size of an Olympic stadium. The premises also has a self-sustainable dairy and a vegetable farm. The sect is said to have several other properties across the country and abroad. One outsider who is at the centre of this succession row and may play a crucial role in future events is former Congress MLA Harminder Singh Jassi, whose daughter is married to the dera head’s son. According to sources, he has been camping in Sirsa for days trying to lobby in favour of his son-in-law.

The chaos in Sirsa is neither unprecedented nor unexpected. For godmen in India, the toughest challenge – even greater than acquiring devotees and setting up sprawling mutts — has been to hold them together in their absence. Bloody wars over succession have witnessed noxious bickering and murders.