Honeypreet’s adoption is a ''sham'', says ex-husband

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 22

Honeypreet Insan’s “adoption” by Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was a "sham" her former husband has claimed.

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As search continues for Honeypreet Insan — born Priyanka Taneja, the disgraced spiritual leader’s so-called adopted daughter — her ex-husband Vishwas Gupta on Friday accused Singh of having implicated him in a dowry case in 2011, when he accused the Dera chief of having “sexually exploited” his wife.

“In no way is Honeypreet Ram Rahim’s daughter. No legal adoption was done. It is all a sham,” Gupta said at a press conference in which he broke down several times, before finally leaving it midway.

Gupta said that several attempts were made on his life after he found the Dera chief in what he calls “compromising position” with his ex-wife Honeypreet at a hotel in Mumbai in 2011.

“Ram Rahim is a vile person. Even sitting in jail, he can still get me killed by his henchmen. While coming out of my home today, I hugged and kissed my wife and child telling them that I am not sure I will be able to return home after speaking against that person, ” he said, adding that the dowry case against him and his parents came within hours of his approaching the Punjab and the Haryana High Court.

“Just when I got anticipatory bail in dowry case, two false cheque bouncing cases were filed against me at Mohali and Rajasthan,” he claimed. He also said that an assassin was hired for Rs 10 lakh to have him killed while he was Patiala jail in the case. 

“I am grateful to Balwant Singh Rajoana, who was then lodged in Patiala Jail for Beant Singh murder, for saving my life,” Gupta said.

He claimed that Singh made them, as well five other couples, play a game similar to ‘Big Boss’ — a reality show in which contestants live in a purpose-built house isolated from the rest of the world for a specified number of days.

“Ram Rahim made us play a game similar to ‘Bigg Boss’ in his cave. We were 6 couples (family members) and spent 28 days there,” he claimed.

He dismissed reports that said that the relationship between Dera chairperson Vipassana Insan and Honeypreet Insan was acrimonious.

“Honeypreet was the queen and Vipassana is the servant. There is no comparison,” he said.

He also rubbished intelligence reports that said his ex-wife was facing death threats, saying only Singh could have her killed.

“No follower would have the courage to go near her,” he said.
Singh has been sentenced to 20 years jail raping two of his female followers. His conviction on August 25 led to large-scale violence in which more than 40 people — mostly his own followers — were killed and hundreds injured.  

Honeypreet Insan, who is believed to be among likely successors for Singh’s job, has been missing since his conviction. She was booked recently for the inciting violence.