Thousands of Dera followers spend night under open sky

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, August 24

Braving rain and sultry weather, thousands of Dera Sacha Sauda followers spent the Wednesday night in the open for the third consecutive day. While a few managed to take shelter at petrol pumps and bus stops, most spent the night on roads as they were left with no option.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Hundreds of Dera followers were seen taking shelter at petrol pumps and bus stops in the city after it rained heavily on Thursday morning.

The followers have been sleeping under the open sky over the past three days. Braving the rain, many were seen roaming on the road in search of shelter in Sector 5.  

As a precautionary measure, the Haryana Government has imposed Section 144 across the state with immediate effect and shut all schools and colleges till August 25, the day the CBI court will give its final judgment over the 14-year-old rape case against Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

Read more stories

• 15,000 paramilitary personnel deployed in Punjab, Haryana; mobile internet to be suspended 
• Why Dera Sacha Sauda attracts such huge following 
• Premis close shops, start moving towards Sirsa and Panchkula 
• Thousands of Dera followers spend night under open sky 
• Will appear in Panchkula court, says Dera chief 
• HC slams Haryana on law and order, asks Centre to provide forces 
• Chandigarh, Mohali deserted; Panchkula abuzz with activity 

The Dera head was accused of rape in 1999. The CBI took over the investigation in 2002. On August 17, the special CBI court of Panchkula concluded hearing in the case, but reserved pronouncing the verdict for August 25.