Rogue cops planned to free Ram Rahim, shift to Himachal
Police have said that the Haryana commandos who tried to free Ram Rahim after his conviction were planning to take him to a hideout in Himachal Pradesh. Once the dust settled, they would have shifted him to a safer location. So far, 12 cops have been arrested for the conspiracy- five immediately after the verdict. They belong to forces of Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan.
Six cops have been arrested for attempting to free Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh after his conviction by a court. The Dera Sacha Sauda chief was convicted in two 15-year-old rape cases on August 25 by a court in Panchkula. In the aftermath, a wave of violence erupted across north India. It later emerged these cops, his followers, tried to free him during the chaos.
Two head constables and a constable of Haryana Police were part of Ram Rahim's security detail that day. Five others who have been dismissed as well as three Punjab cops who have been arrested were also involved in the escape plan. During the violence, they attacked police and threw themselves in front of the car he was being transported in, but couldn't free him.
The extent of Ram Rahim's influence became clear after the Panchkula riots. Lakhs of devotees followed orders as the Dera supplied weapons to unleash violence. The Dera reportedly managed to move out truckloads of incriminating material from its Sirsa headquarters without facing any action. His closeness with the BJP is suspected to have played a role. But for now, the 'godman' languishes in jail.
