Dera Sacha Sauda spent Rs. 5cr to fuel violence: Police

On August 25, after Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was convicted in a 2002 rape case, violence erupted across northern India, leaving 36 dead and 270 injured.

In Delhi, the Rewa Express was set on fire at Anand Vihar railway station. Buses were also set ablaze.

Elsewhere, petrol pumps and vehicles were damaged. Journalists were attacked.

Dera Sacha Sauda reportedly gave freshly-made bats to supporters.

On August 27, the Punjab and Haryana High Court called out the centre and the Haryana state government for their inability to control widespread violence following the verdict in the Ram Rahim Singh rape case.

The Court even took a dig at PM Modi and stated that "He is the Prime Minister of not the BJP but of India."

It appears that the followers of Dera Sacha Sauda had made plans ahead of Friday's verdict against Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh to cause mayhem in Panchkula.

In its investigation, DNA accessed several phone conversations between Dera supporters instructing other members on how to mobilize and turn violent.

One such conversation indicates that Ram Rahim himself instructed the rioters on how to act.

"Hamla toh karna hi hai (We have to carry out an attack)," was one several phone conversations that took place between Dera supporters.

Two supporters could be heard talking about taking the "samaan," a reference to weapons.

One supporter said: "Take the stuff, don't show off, be discreet. Take them out only when needed..."

Also discussed was how to carry out the "hamla" (attack).

"Pitaji (Ram Rahim) has especially said not to take his name if anyone asks why they have come. Tell them to say they have come on their own will," a supporter was heard telling another.

He also says that parents of children should be instructed not to name "pitaji."

The two supporters discuss the dispatching of 300-350 people in Panchkula before the verdict.

The DNA reports come as the Punjab and Haryana High Court on August 26 took cognizance of such recordings.

The court has requested a detailed report, identifying key instigators of the mob based on intercepted messages of Dera supporters.

It asked authorities to verify whether Dera spokesperson Aditya Insan, Dhiman Insan, Dilawar Insan and Mohinder Insan were "instrumental in inciting the crowd to violence."

Police have said the Dera Sacha Sauda spent at least Rs. 5cr to fuel violence in the aftermath of Ram Rahim Singh's conviction.

Money was sent to Panchkula and places in Punjab under the supervision of Dera's Panchkula branch head Chamkaur Singh and some others, including a horticulturist; Singh and his family are missing.

Followers were allegedly even promised compensation for loss of life.