No entry for devotees, dera under heavy security on Ram Rahim’s second day of parole
For the second day, entry to Dera Sacha Sauda in Sirsa remained completely restricted. Devotees hoping to meet dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim were not allowed inside. The police also banned photography and videography near the gates. Even those permitted to enter had to pass through three layers of security before reaching the main campus. Meanwhile, the dera chief and management urged followers not to visit the dera to avoid crowding.
Security around the dera was very tight, with eight to 10 checkpoints guarded by 15 to 20 policemen each. The road leading to the dera chief’s residence, "Tera Vas," had even stricter security, with 40 officers deployed. Apart from the police, dera volunteers were also present at certain checkpoints. Policemen were stationed in nearby fields to monitor movements and senior officers patrolled the area in vehicles.
Dera Sacha Sauda has 10 gates, but all are now under 24-hour police watch. The main gates on the Sirsa-Nathusari Chopta road, once open for devotees, are now strictly controlled. The police at the old dera checkpoint stopped large vehicle drivers for questioning and turned back those heading towards the dera. Another checkpoint was placed near a petrol pump, with 15 to 20 policemen keeping an eye on visitors. There was also a checkpoint near a canal, monitoring people coming through nearby villages.
Sirsa Superintendent of Police Vikrant Bhushan confirmed that all entry and exit points were under CCTV surveillance, with a police team monitoring the dera’s control room 24/7. Security on roads leading to the dera has also been tightened, with thorough vehicle checks. However, the police assured that civilian movement on the nearby highway would not be disrupted.
The authorities have set strict rules for the dera chief’s parole. He cannot invite outsiders for religious gatherings and must conduct all events via videoconferencing. The dera management must also provide details of all weapons inside the premises and submit these to the district police. Any VIPs or VVIPs visiting the dera chief must inform the police beforehand. Additionally, Ram Rahim must notify authorities before leaving the premises for any reason.
Notably, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh arrived in Sirsa on Tuesday after seven and a half years, following his 30-day parole. Reports suggest he may stay at the dera for about 10 days. He was convicted on August 25, 2017, for sexually assaulting two female followers and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Later, in 2019, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati. In 2021, he was also convicted in the Ranjit Singh murder case and given another life sentence. However, in May 2023, the Punjab and Haryana High Court acquitted him in this case, though the CBI has since appealed to the Supreme Court.
