BJP's return gift to Dera chief? Khattar Govt gives clean chit to Ram Rahim for training commandos

Chandigarh, Feb 12: The Manohar Lal Khattar government in Haryana has brought relief to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

The new BJP Government in the state gave a clean chit to the controversial godman and his Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) against the reports that private commandos of Ram Rahim are being trained by some former Army personnel.

Earlier last year, while hearing a case relating to Rampal the Punjab and Haryana High Court said that activities of the Sirsa-based sect should be monitored by the top brass of Haryana, including government and police.

The HC ruling came following reports that private commandos of Ram Rahim are being trained by some former Army personnel.

Saying that such developments could pose a challenge to the State machinery, the High Court said, "Search of Dera to unearth illegal arms and ammunitions and monitoring its activities on periodic basis is need of the hour to avoid future bloody confrontation."

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is also facing murder and rape charges. Meanwhile, the court has referred the matter to the chief justice's bench for taking appropriate action.

High Court's observation came days after controversial godman Rampal was arrested from his Satlok Ashram at Barwala in Hisar district of Haryana. Investigators later found out a huge cache of arms from the ashram.

Earlier on Wednesday, Ram Rahim was allowed by a special CBI court to travel abroad to promote his upcoming film The Messenger, which was earlier titled MSG: The Messenger of God. Film's producer had also approached the state government for waiver of 30 per cent on entertainment tax.

Interestingly, the Sirsa-based non-profit social welfare and spiritual body helped the BJP a big way in tasting its first major electoral success in Haryana assembly election.

A major reason behind the BJP's emergence as the single largest party in the state, where it bagged 47 out of 90 seats in the October 15 assembly election, was its eleventh-minute deal with the Dera which has a big influence among the backward and social caste communities in North India.

The Dera had also given its support to the BJP two days before Delhi went for polls.

OneIndia News