Here are the live updates of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's rape verdict:
Self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, held guilty of raping two women followers by a court in Haryana's Panchkula today, found strong support in BJP lawmaker Sakshi Maharaj, who said the chief of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect is being "harassed."
DTC spokesperson Sanjay Saxena said the Delhi-Lahore bus
services remained suspended today as well.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condemned this evening's massive violence in Haryana in strong terms and asked the people to keep the peace.
Vehicles burnt, media OB vans torched; action will be taken against those who took law in their hands: Manohar Lal Khattar, Haryana CM pic.twitter.com/LxYBUGsps5
- ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2017
The law & order situation is being closely monitored. I reviewed the situation with the NSA & Home Secretary.
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2017
The instances of violence today are deeply distressing. I strongly condemn the violence & urge everyone to maintain peace.
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2017
Urged officials to work round the clock to restore normalcy and provide all possible assistance that is required.
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2017
Violence & brutality have no place in our society. Condemn the rampage and lawlessness in Haryana & appeal to restore peace and tranquility
1/Due to Law & Order problem in Punjab & Haryana,Train movement affected in Northern Rly pic.twitter.com/FdEtuL4LxG
- Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) August 25, 2017
Spoke to Sonia ji and briefed her about the law & order situation in Punjab and assured her that we won't allow anyone to disturb peace.
- Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) August 25, 2017
Intelligence sources reveal that they had earlier informed the Haryana police that "things might go out of hand" That is why so many companies were given to the state. But even then, situation got out of control.
Appeal to all to maintain peace & order. #DelhiPolice on full alert. Strict legal action will be taken against miscreants for any violation.
- CP Delhi (@CPDelhi) August 25, 2017
Almost 250 trains cancelled. All trains going towards Rohtak cancelled for tomorrow: Neeraj Sharma, CPRO, Northern Railway #RamRahimVerdict pic.twitter.com/KDaPCLaE5q
- ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2017
Violence and damage to public property after court verdict is highly condemnable; appeal to all citizens to maintain peace #PresidentKovind
- President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 25, 2017
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
A music video - Love Charger - got self-declared spiritual leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh international prime time. The sect claims 50 million followers and has a matrix of popular centres across Punjab and Haryana towns and villages.
Not just this, Ram Rahim is also considered politically important. After initially siding with the Congress, in 2014, he endorsed the BJP for both the general election and the Haryana state election.
All Delhi Metro stations alerted. Vigil intensified at stations along Uttar Pradesh and Haryana borders: CISF DG O P Singh
In a statement in Hindi, signed by spokesperson Dilawar Insaan, the Dera also appealed for peace amid widespread violence that has already claimed 17 lives after the verdict was pronounced earlier today.
"This is unjust. We will appeal against the judgement," the statement said.
"What has happened with us is something that has happened to gurus through history. Dera Sacha Sauda is dedicated to the betterment of humanity. We request all to maintain peace," the statement further read.
All SHOs , ACsP , DCsP and Jt CPs are patrolling the area to prevent any kind incident which may arise due to Ram Rahim followers in Delhi
- SBK Singh Spl CP L&O (@splcpnorthdelpo) August 25, 2017
All trains from Delhi to Rohtak will remain cancelled due to law and order situation in Haryana: Northern Railway
At least 13 people were killed today and about 150 have been injured in violence that erupted in Panchkula after angry supporters of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh went on the ramapage. Incidents of violence have been reported from various places in and around Punjab Haryana. Chief Ministers of all neighbouring states have asked people to maintain calm.
#Visuals Security at Delhi BJP HQ increased post violence at various places after #RamRahimSingh's conviction. pic.twitter.com/tMiJeHO8it
- ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2017
Sriganganagar district collector Gyana Ram said that it was yet to be ascertain whether the incident was in reaction to the conviction of the self-styled godman.
The gang torched the jeep and fled from the spot. The district collector said that the fire was doused by firemen soon.
Security has been stepped up across the district, which is home to a large number of followers of Gurmeet Ram Rahim, in view of the verdict.
#RamRahimVerdict | As #Panchkula brought to knees by #RamRahimSingh sect, army called in
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 25, 2017
Read more here: https://t.co/Njki0SupiF pic.twitter.com/5frGmEKCM2
In the wake of the ruling, authorities in both Haryana and the neighboring state of Punjab are also on high alert in the event the verdict sparks violence.
Bus set ablaze near Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital in Delhi pic.twitter.com/eiQ0Ep1eRS
- ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2017
Police use water cannon on violent #DeraSachaSauda followers in vicinity of Panchkula's Spl CBI Court (Earlier Visuals) #RamRahimVerdict pic.twitter.com/bNLyZwNwTS
- ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2017
Two empty rakes of Rewa Express at Anand Vihar Terminal railway station set on fire: Northern Railway Spokesman Neeraj Sharma told news agency ANI
- Home secretary and Director of the Intelligence Bureau also briefed me. Reviewed the situation
- Both Chief Ministers told me that situation is in control. I assured them all help.
- I appeal to everyone specially the followers to maintain peace
Home Minister will now brief Prime Minister Narendra Modi about ground situation
Punjab | @capt_amarinder contacts @rajnathsingh as violence in #Panchkula worsens after #DeraSachaSauda chief #RamRahimSingh convicted pic.twitter.com/UG97p696oS
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 25, 2017
#RamRahimVerdict: At least 70 people injured in violent protests in Panchkula, admitted in Sector 6 General Hospital #Haryana
- ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2017
The violence spread quickly to other towns including Bhatinda in Punjab and Sirsa in Haryana, where Ram Rahim's headquarters are located on a campus that extends to hundreds of acres.
Read more here
Curfew imposed in Mansa, Ferozepur in Punjab and #Panchkula in Haryana. #DeraSachaSauda
- All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) August 25, 2017
After #RamRahimSingh convicted by #Panchkula court, cars, OB vans of several news channels including NDTV attacked#RamRahimVerdict pic.twitter.com/ZcricmJCy4
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 25, 2017
Curfew now imposed in Punjab's Muktsar, Bathinda, Mansa.
Alert: In the DSS issue, situation is perfectly normal in Gurugram. You are requested not to believe any rumours
- Gurugram Police (@gurgaonpolice) August 25, 2017
As news of the conviction came in, thousands of followers waiting near the court broke down police barricades and threw stones, attacking OB vans of news channels, including NDTV. They smashed windows of the van and pushed them over. A fire engine and several cars were set on fire.
An NDTV engineer has been injured on the head; when he tried to leave, the mob held him down and beat him up.
It is speculated that Ram Rahim Singh will be taken to a jail in Rohtak. Security preparations are underway in the jail. Barricades have been erected around the jail boundaries
10 injured in violent protests, shifted to a hospital in Sector 6 Panchkula, reports news agency ANI.
National capital Delhi on high alert after Ram Rahim Singh supporters resort to violence. Alert sounded in Bhatinda in Punjab too.
NDTV Crew Hurt In Violence Outside Court After Ram Rahim Conviction - https://t.co/8FGlituR2v
- NDTV Videos (@ndtvvideos) August 25, 2017
- Police fire tear gas shells on Dera protesters in Panchkula
- Tear Gas and lathicharge reported in Sector 5 Panchkula as crowds turn violent
- Live bullets fired in the air to disperse crowds
The situation in Panchkula has gone out of control. NDTV's Amitoj Singh reports that the supporters of the Dera chief are not sparing even the journalists present at the venue. NDTV's OB vans has been vandalised, an engineer who was inside the van has also been injured.
Supporters of Dera chief are attacking journalists, and are breaking windows of media vans that are present near the venue, reports NDTV's Amitoj Singh
#RamRahimVerdict | Dera chief #RamRahimSingh convicted
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 25, 2017
Read more here: https://t.co/Njki0SupiF pic.twitter.com/9IJIV7pEd4
At least three layers of security is present outside the Dera headquarter, where thousands of supporters of Gurmeet Ram Rahim's supporters are present, reports NDTV's Sheikh Zaffar.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been taken into custody. On Monday, the court will pronounce the quantum of sentence, he faces up to 7 years in jail.
Visuals of Army vehicles in the vicinity of Panchkula's Special CBI Court #RamRahimVerdict pic.twitter.com/cT9KaeAHQv
- ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2017
#RamRahimVerdict | Dera chief #RamRahimSingh in Panchkula court, followers await verdict nearby
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 25, 2017
LIVE updates: https://t.co/VK3WltpE6z pic.twitter.com/fanTDj3VJU
Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar has urged followers of self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim to remain clam.
Only 2 cars from #RamRahimSingh's convoy will be allowed to enter #Panchkula, say police#RamRahimVerdict LIVE https://t.co/VK3WltpE6z pic.twitter.com/RlMutKxd47
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 25, 2017
#Haryana Army helicopter conducts security surveillance over Panchkula ahead of #RamRahimVerdict pic.twitter.com/0PlcIJQVld
- ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2017
#RamRahimSingh verdict | 15,000 paramilitary troops deployed by Centre in addition to police guarding #Panchkula https://t.co/lg0cXOtT2G pic.twitter.com/26bLagdu5u
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 25, 2017
#RamRahim has left from Sirsa for #Panchkula, in convoy of over 100 cars with Z+ security#RamRahimVerdict LIVE: https://t.co/VK3WltpE6z pic.twitter.com/SrdD2N5hSJ
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 25, 2017
The union Home Ministry has said it is watching closely from Delhi and has promised Haryana Chief Minister of all help he needs.
Self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim has left for court. The Dera chief is travelling in a convoy of hundreds of vehicles. He is expected to reach court by 2:30 PM
Sirsa will not sleep tonight. Like a stream, thousands of men and women -- children in tow -- have been flowing into the Haryana city, the headquarters of the Dera Sacha Sauda, whose chief is expected to face a verdict on a rape case today." itemprop="description
For #RamRahimVerdict, curfew in Panchkula, tension builds
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 24, 2017
Read more here: https://t.co/8cnrid8Pmx pic.twitter.com/MQWNEMqqpn
DC Gurugram has already communicated to the telecom operators to maintain normal data internet services.
- Gurugram Police (@gurgaonpolice) August 24, 2017
हमने सदा क़ानून का सम्मान किया है।हालाँकि हमारी back में दर्द है,फिर भी क़ानून की पालना करते हुए हम कोर्ट ज़रूर... https://t.co/KpTEsCSiUV
- Dr.GURMEET RAM RAHIM (@Gurmeetramrahim) August 24, 2017