Security forces stand gaurd as smoke is seen after followers went violent following court verdict in the rape trial of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, in Sirsa on Friday. A special CBI court had on Friday declared self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh of raping and sexually exploiting two disciples. The special court announced the guilty verdict after hearing closing arguments in the 15-year-old case against the guru, who calls himself Saint Dr. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insaan. Clashes in 2007 between Dera Sacha Sauda followers and members of the Sikh faith left at least three people dead in north India. “I consider guru-ji to be only next to God,” farmer Malkit Singh said as he squatted on the ground in a park, saying Ram Rahim Singh had cured him of a decadelong addiction to drugs.

Source: Mint August 26, 2017 04:01 UTC