Date:04/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/04/stories/2008120454730500.htm

Other States - Haryana

Dera chief questioned

Special Correspondent

Photo: Akhilesh Kumar

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh addressing his followers in Chandigarh on Wednesday.

CHANDIGARH: Following directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Punjab police on Wednesday interrogated the head of Dera Sacha Sauda, Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh, who was booked for hurting the religious sentiments of the Sikh community last year.

Amid unprecedented security arrangements at the police headquarters here, a six-member team from Bathinda district questioned the Baba for almost five hours. The Bathinda police had registered a case against him after the Sikh community organised high-decibel protests against alleged attempts by the Baba to imitate the attire and practices of Guru Gobind Singh.

The Baba, who arrived in a cavalcade of vehicles, was asked to respond to a series of questions. While the police have preferred to remain tight-lipped, sources indicated that the Baba was mostly evasive. He repeatedly referred to the “sangat” as the rightful custodian of the truth on the issue. The investigating team is to submit its report to the High Court by December 15.

As a large number of “Premis” (Dera followers) descended on the city in solidarity with their sect chief, the Chandigarh administration had requisitioned security personnel from the India Reserve Battalion, Central Reserve Police Force, and Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh Police. Traffic in some parts of the city was adversely affected. The Punjab Police headquarters wore a fortress-like look as the security personnel did not allow any vehicle to be parked in the vicinity of the building.

After the questioning, Baba Ram Rahim Singh addressed his supporters at the Sector 25 grounds, where he emphasised the need for campaigning against drug addiction and other social evils.