Ram Rahim guilty: 32 killed, 350 injured, PM Modi reviews situation

A special CBI court in Panchkula convicted Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in a 15 year old rape case. The quantum of his sentence would be pronounced on Monday.

Moments after his conviction violence broke out with his supporters going on the rampage. The police had to resort to lathi charge and firing of tear gas shells to curb the mob. Media vans, police stations and a railway station was set on fire following the verdict.

Here is how it all unfolded throughout the day

22:50: Curfew imposed in Sangrur, security stepped up after violent protests by Dera followers

20:40: Tightening the security in various parts of Haryana and Punjab, the government has deployed six column army in Panchkula, two columns army in Sirsa, one column army Mansa and Mukhtsar.

22:35: Section 144 imposed in Uttarakhand's Nainital.

22:30: Baghpat District Magistrate directs all schools in the region to remain closed on Saturady.

We used tear gas,lathicharge,pellet bullets and fired on them (protesters) where arson was reported: BS Sandhu,DGP Haryana #RamRahimVerdict pic.twitter.com/E9eaDXM6eD

— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2017

22:09: Delhi Transport Corporation has suspended bus services to NCR due to incidents of arson.

Panchkula is completely peaceful at the moment, flag marches conducted: DGP Haryana, BS Sandhu #RamRahimSingh pic.twitter.com/MJuoZW1694

— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2017

22:05: Chandigarh Police have arrested six private commandos of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and seized weapons and petrol cans.

21: 48: No major incident took place in Delhi today, 5 arrested for involvement in small incidents. Will keep close watch tomorrow also:Delhi Police.

21:38: Haryana chief minister talks to media about the ongoing violence in Panchkula and nearby areas.

Haryana Government had made complete arrangements; the mob was really huge: Manohar Lal Khattar, Haryana CM #RamRahimVerdict pic.twitter.com/qE7ie3WYqY

— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2017

21: 28: Police impose Section 144, restricting assembly of four or more people in 11 districts of Delhi, including New Delhi.

21: 14: Security beefed up in Rohtak, where Dera chief is kept in police guest house.

19:05: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet on Friday condemned the violence following the conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda chief and termed it as deeply distressing. "The law & order situation is being closely monitored. I reviewed the situation with NSA & Home Secretary," tweeted PM Modi.

19:30: Rahul Gandhi says violence and brutality have no place in society; condemns "lawlessness" in Haryana.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar visits Civil Hospital in Panchkula to meet those injured in violent protests #RamRahimVerdict pic.twitter.com/acufgGpewM

— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2017

19:12: Violence, damage to public property after court verdict is condemnable;appeal citizens to maintain peace, tweets Pres Kovind.

19:06: Section 144 also imposed in Noida and Ghaziabad following violence.

19:05: Dera supporters set power sub-station office on fire in Sriganganagar.

Rajasthan: Dera supporters set power sub-station office on fire in Sriganganagar,vehicle at sub-station premises also torched #RamRahimSingh pic.twitter.com/96GMb8suy3

— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2017

19:26: 28 dead, 250 injured in Panchkula violence in Haryana, reports PTI.

18:40: Protesters identified. We have video footage&strict action will be taken against them. Most of the protesters ousted from city: Ram Niwas

18: 35: Section 144 imposed in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar and Baghpat, in view of violent protests in Punjab and Haryana

18: 25: 1000 Dera chief followers have been detains in Panchkula.

18: 21: One killed in Sirsa. Death toll raises to 18.

18: 20: Ram Rahim reaches police training centre, Sonaria, near Rohtak, which has been temporarily notified as a jail.

18:18: 200 injured admitted to Panchkula general hospital, according to senior medical officer Vivek Bhadoo; 57 critically injured referred to other hospitals.

18: 18: We have been "wronged", will appeal in higher court, says Dera Sacha Sauda

18:05: 17 killed, 40 referred to PGIMER and 100 admitted to Panchkula general hospital.

18:02: Panchkula police commissioner visits hospital, says situation "now under control".

18:01: Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is being flown to Rohtak jail from Panchkula in a chopper.

17:52: The Punjab and Haryana High Court orders attachment of all properties owned by the Dera chief to compensate for all the destruction caused by his supporters.

17: 46: The death toll in the riots that ensued Gurmeet Ram Rahim's conviction in a rape case has risen to 13 now.

17: 45: Drones and helicopters carry out aerial survey in Panchkula following violence by Dera followers.

17: 43: Income Tax office in Punjab's Mansa set alight by Dera protesters, vehicles in the premises torched.

17: 42: A bus set on fire by 2 persons in Loni, fire brigade & police on the spot

17: 41: Bus set ablaze near Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital in Delhi

17: 37: Police use water cannon on violent #DeraSachaSauda followers in vicinity of Panchkula's Spl CBI Court.

17:35: Punjab and Haryana high court says Dera will have to pay for damages caused.

17: 30: A train at Anand Vihar Railway Station and a bus in northeast Delhi were set ablaze by Dera supporters, according to police.

17:27: Security tightened at railway stations in Delhi post rape conviction of Dera Chief: Northern Railway Spox Neeraj Sharma

17:24: Army columns moved in Haryana's Sirsa for quick reaction, as violent protests continue post rape conviction of Dera Chief.

17:16: Strict action will be taken against those who try to disrupt peace: Haryana CM

17:15: At least 70 people injured in violent protests in Panchkula, admitted in Sector 6 General Hospital Haryana.

16:28: Security alert on Delhi borders after RamRahim is found guilty of rape.

16:27: Heavy force deployment in Sirsa as crowds turn violent, Rapid Action Force also reaches #Haryana

16:26: At least one confirmed dead near Hafed chowk in Panchkula

16:25: Power house in Punjab's Sangrur set on fire.

16:23: Curfew imposed in Panchkula.

16:22: Mob enters Sector 3 residential area in Panchkula.

16:09: Ram Rahim boards chopper, taken to Rohtak

16:05: Fear of mob entering houses grips people in places adjoining Panchkula such as Peer Muchala.

16:05: Curfew imposed in three Punjab town - Ferozepur, Mansa and Bathinda.

16:03: Two police stations have been set on fire by protesters of the Dera Sacha Sauda

15:58: Malout Railway Station & petrol pump set on fire by protesters in Punjab, similar incidents also reported in Bathinda

15:54: Tear Gas and lathicharge in Sector 5 Panchkula as crowds turn violent, Live bullets fired in the air to disperse crowds

15:46: The violence comes even after the Punjab and Haryana High Court pulled up the government over lax in security.

15:45: Violence has reportedly begun by Dera Sacha Sauda supporters. The protestors have attacked cars, media persons, and media OB vans.

15:45: "Everything is under control. Do not sensationalise the situation. We are absolutely under control," says Sirsa SP.

15:44: Doctors team arrives at Panchkula courts for mandatory check-up after arrest

15:40: Police resort to using tear gas shells to handle growing mobs in Panchkula, fire blank shots.

15:38: Now, violence reported from Panchkula's Sector-4. Dera followers resort to vandalising cars and other vehicles.

15:30: Curfew likely to be imposed in Panchkula.

15:18: Police ready with pellet guns near the Panchkula court if the situation goes out of control

15:16: An Army convoy has moved around the CBI court premises in Panchkula and security forces are dispersing the crowd of about 50 to 60 thousand Dera Sacha Sauda supporters.

15:15: Gurmeet Ram Rahim to be taken to Rohtak jail on chopper.

15:14: Dera followers observe silence, begin gathering in one place

15:13: Dera Sacha chief taken into custody by Haryana Police

15:12: Self-styled godman likely to be taken to Ambala central jail. Followers reportedly begin agitation.

15:00:Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been convicted of rape charges by the CBI court in Panchkula. Quantum of sentence to be decided on August 28.

14:54: After internet services, power supply of nearby areas in Panchkula disconnected

14:52: Meanwhile, many supporters are seen rejoicing. They say that the Dera chief is cleared of all charges. However there is no confirmation about the verdict as yet.

14:50: The verdict on Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on the rape charges in the CBI court is going to be kept undisclosed for close to 45 minutes to 1 hour.

14:47: The verdict on Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on the rape charges in the CBI court is going to be kept undisclosed for close to 45 minutes to 1 hour.

14:42: Hushed silence in Panchkula as thousands of Dera followers sit quietly in the open awaiting verdict in the rape trial against Ram Rahim Singh on Friday afternoon.

14:29: Hearing begins in rape case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh

14:24: Haryana CM ML Khattar appeals to people, especially Dera followers to remain calm. He also said,''Whatever is verdict, will implement it. Ready to deal with any circumstances,security arrangements are in place.''

14:21: Visuals of Dera followers in Haryana's Sirsa ahead of verdict in rape case against Ram Rahim Sing

#WATCH: Visuals of Dera followers in Haryana's Sirsa ahead of verdict in rape case against Ram Rahim Singh #RamRahimVerdict pic.twitter.com/ozD1k1b4Dm

— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2017

14:07: The verdict in Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's rape case is likely to be read out at 2:30 pm.

14:04: Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh left Sirsa with a 200-strong convoy.

13:48: The Army is currently on standby in Panchkula and security personnel are armed with tear gas and water cannons, ready for a possible standoff with Dera Sacha Sauda Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's supporters.

13:47: Dera Sacha Sauda Chief reaches CBI court in Panchkula.

13:46: Security has been stepped up at gurdwaras in Haryana. At Nadha Sahib Gurudwara, as many as five police personnel are deployed at its entrance and are on alert.

13:45: Curfew has been imposed in a one kilometre radius around Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh's residence, reports HT.

13:40: Rajasthan: Internet services suspended for 48 hours & Section 144 imposed in Sri Ganganagar

13:30: Section 144 imposed in Hanumangarh too ahead of verdict

12:55: Punjab & Haryana HC to Hayrana govt - Use force if needed, file FIR against leaders if they make provocative statements.

12:42: Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh leaves for Panchkula in massive convoy to appear before special CBI court in a sexual exploitation case

11:59: Army helicopter conducts security surveillance over Panchkula

#Haryana Army helicopter conducts security surveillance over Panchkula ahead of #RamRahimVerdict pic.twitter.com/0PlcIJQVld

— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2017

11:45: The Dera followers could be seen occupying parks, roads and other available places like under the flyovers to pitch their tents.

11:30: Want to appeal to people of Haryana to maintain peace, says Bhupinder Singh Hooda, former Haryana CM

11:00: There's peace in the region & everything is in place. Have faith in us, proceedings will take place peacefully: DGP Haryana

There's peace in the region & everything is in place. Have faith in us,proceedings will take place peacefully: DGP Haryana #RamRahimVerdict pic.twitter.com/fvCkIOiNkX

— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2017

10:25: Many Dera followers fainted as Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's convoy passed in Sirsa

Many Dera followers fainted as Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's convoy passed in Sirsa #RamRahimVerdict pic.twitter.com/sZPspHiEmk

— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2017

10:16: Dera followers cry and try to block Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's convoy in Sirsa

Dera followers cry and try to block Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's convoy in Sirsa #RamRahimVerdict pic.twitter.com/6mzEfhLf64

— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2017

09:41: Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's convoy has left from Sirsa for Panchkula court

Haryana: Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's convoy has left from Sirsa for Panchkula court #RamRahimVerdict pic.twitter.com/cBdxuFfMt7

— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2017

09:29: Dera chief leaves for court ahead of Ram Rahim verdict

08:27: Supporters of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in Panchkula

#Haryana Supporters of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in #Panchkula ahead of verdict in rape case against him today #RamRahimVerdict pic.twitter.com/zSjrgzk2Kf

— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2017

08:20: Heavy security presence around Panchkula Court ahead of his verdict

#Haryana Heavy security presence around Panchkula Court ahead of #RamRahimVerdict pic.twitter.com/qi0c6DDkyU

— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2017

08:14: 74 trains have been cancelled in the view of law and order situation in Haryana ahead of Ram Rahim Verdict

08:12: Mobile internet services to remain active in Gurgaon & Faridabad

08:00: Army has set up control rooms in Panchkula. Police barricades have been set up nearly 2.5 kilometres from court premises.

07:55: Section 144 has been imposed in Sirsa and three nearby villages as a "precautionary measure" to maintain law and order.

A case was registered against Dera chief Singh in 2002 by the CBI on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court after anonymous letters were circulated about alleged sexual exploitation of two female followers, as per a PTI report. Singh was accused of raping them inside the Dera campus on the outskirts of Sirsa town in Haryana. A charge sheet in the case was filed by the CBI in 2007. However, the Dera chief has denied these charges.

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