Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Saturday slammed the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Haryana, saying it let Panchkula "burn for political benefits." The court blamed Khattar's government, stating they "surrendered to the situation" and let it escalate.
The High Court asked the state government for details of the Dera chief's movable and immovable properties in Punjab and Haryana till next hearing that will be held on August 29.
The court has called for a status report regarding the people killed in the violence after the verdict. It has also directed all District Commissioners in Punjab and Haryana to issue public notices within a week inviting claims regarding damage to properties.
Violence erupted in Panchkula after a CBI Court on Friday found Dera Sacha Sauda Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh guilty in a rape case.
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.
In Delhi, a train has been set on fire in Anand Vihar and two buses have also been torched in Nand Nagri. Many media persons, have also been attacked.
The government's claims of keeping the situation under control have fallen flat. The police was caught on camera retreating as Ram Rahim supporters advanced menacingly.
Haryana Jail Minister says Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim will be lodged in a Guest House at the Sunaria Jail in Rohtak.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the state administration cannot be blamed for the ongoing violence in the state of Haryana, adding that the state administration had taken all the precautionary measures.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court orders attachment of all properties owned by the Dera Sacha Sauda chief to compensate for all the destruction caused by the spiritual leader's supporters. The HC has also indicated that the policemen involved will be punished.
According to NDTV, Ram Rahim arrived for the verdict in a 200-car cavalcade and stood with his eyes closed and hands folded in prayer as the verdict was delivered. By last night, Panchkula was over-run by more than one lakh followers of Ram Rahim - clusters of them proliferated over the last two days, despite the Haryana government's claims of roping off the city.