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Chandigarh: The CBI Special Court today convicted Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a 15-year old rape case.

The quantum of punishment will be announced on Monday (28 August). The verdict was delivered by CBI Judge Jagdeep Singh.

The Dera chief has been taken into custody by the Haryana Police.

The sexual exploitation case was registered against Dera chief in 2002 by the CBI on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The Dera chief was accused of sexually exploiting two female followers.

Earlier today, even as Haryana Police, along with central forces was busy driving away the Dera followers who had come to Panchkula over the last couple of days defying prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC to express solidarity with the sect chief and the accused in the rape case, the Army especially called out at Panchkula and Sirsa, took up its position since morning today. The Army also conducted a flag march at Sirsa during the night.

After the verdict, violence has been reported from Panchkula’s Sector-4, where Dera followers vandalised vehicles and the Police had to burst tear gas shells and use water canons

In Punjab, a Power house at Sangrur, Balluana village railway station, situated near Abohar in Bathinda district, and the Railway station at Malout were set ablaze by angry mobs this afternoon. following violent incidents, curfew has been imposed in Ferozepur, Mansa and Bathinda.