(NDTV)
As violence by the followers of Gurmeet Ram Rahim spiraled out of control this evening, reaching Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and the borders of Delhi, the Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered strict penalty for Dera Sacha Sauda. The entire property of the organization — led by its self-styled spiritual leader Ram Rahim — should be attached for the damage they caused to public property, the court said.
A hearing will be held at 10 am on Saturday by the full bench of the High Court, which has ordered the police to file cases in this regard. A report will also be submitted on the violence.
Dera Sacha Sauda describes itself as a social welfare and spiritual organisation and says it has 50 million followers and has a matrix of popular centres across Punjab and Haryana. Its sprawling 100-acre campus in Sirsa, Haryana, has its own schools, sports village, hospital, confectionery, a spice factory, agricultural farm and a cinema hall. Cleanliness drives organised by the sect have featured political VVIPS, including Chief Minister ML Khattar.
