Chief of the Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, on Thursday put an end to speculation over his attending the proceedings in the CBI special court in Panchkula on August 25 in a case of alleged rape, by saying he would appear before the court despite a backache.
A tweet from the official handle of Gurmeet Ram Rahim said that ''we have always respected the law. Even though I am having a back ache, yet abiding by the law I'll go to the court.''
The Dera chief appealed to his followers to maintain peace. ''I have a strong faith in God. Everyone should maintain peace,'' he said.
Last week, the court reserved its judgment in the case and directed the Dera chief to be present before it on August 25, when the judgment will be pronounced.
The Dera chief has been charged with repeated rape of a former follower in 1999 on the Dera campus, which is situated near Sirsa town. The FIR was registered in 2002.
Dera spokesperson Aditya Insaan on Wednesday told reporters that the Dera and its chief had always abided by law and would continue to follow the law of the land in future as well.
As the number of Dera followers continue to swell in Panchkula, in a sign that the security forces may face a tough challenge in case of an adverse ruling, the Haryana government has been on its toes to maintain law and order.
