Punjab Police to grill Dera chief

Chandigarh, Aug 17: The Punjab Police will question Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Baba Gurmeet Ram Raheem Singh today in connection with a case filed against him for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.

According to sources, around 15 policemen led by an officer of the rank of DSP will visit Dera headquarters in Sirsa in Haryana to question Baba Gurmeet.Ï¿Ï¿½Ï¿Ï¿½

Earlier, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed Baba Gurmeet to join investigations in connection with a case for deliberately hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community by dressing up in attire of 10th guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh.

The Punjab Police had registered a case at Bathinda on May 20, charging Baba Gurmeet with Section 295-A (hurting religious sentiments).

The photo of Baba Gurmeet in the dress sparked sectarian clashes in Punjab and parts of Haryana leaving one person dead and over 50 injured.

Baba Gurmeet had tendered an apology, saying he had no intention of hurting the sentiments of the Sikhs, but the Sikh clergy rejected his apology.

The court had granted interim bail to the Dera chief until August 6, which was later extended.

Earlier, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had submitted a status report of the investigations made into the case in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The CBI also registered three cases of rape under section 120BÏ¿Ï¿½ pertaining to indulging in criminal conspiracy against Baba Gurmeet.

The Dera chief is accused of murdering Ranjit Singh, who threatened to reveal the name of those who were involved in wrongdoings inside the Dera headquarters at Sirsa, and killing of a journalist who reported the case.

ANI

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