The Dera's sinister secrets: 600 skeletons buried in the campus
Controversies around the Dera Sacha Sauda refuse to die down. Now an aide of Ram Rahim Singh has allegedly told investigators that 600 skeletons are buried inside its Sirsa headquarters. According to former Dera vice-president Dr PR Nain, members then planted saplings on top of the mass grave on the advice of a German scientist. Nain also submitted documents to back his claim.
Revelations of human remains buried in the campus first appeared in public right before massive sweeping operations on September 8. A day before, the Dera mouthpiece "Sach Kahoon" admitted that human remains were buried inside the premises and trees had been planted on them. It explained: Ram Rahim had encouraged followers to donate remains for burial so they don't end up polluting rivers.
The Health Ministry later revealed that 14 bodies were sent by the Dera to a medical college "without requisite permission and death certificates". This has raised questions on where these bodies/skeletons are coming from. A follower's claims might hold clue: a woman has claimed that her child, whom she 'donated' to the Dera years ago for 'sewa', has been missing since 12 years.
After the Panchkula violence, locals reported dozens of vehicles allegedly removing "incriminating material" from the Dera. A couple recently alleged their 22-year-old son was killed because he saw "suspicious activities" going on in the campus. A tunnel was also found connecting Ram Rahim's quarters to the women disciples' hostel. Allegations so far point to one thing: the Dera was far from a religious group.
Meanwhile, police are on the lookout for top Dera members including Ram Rahim's adopted daughter Honeypreet. She is suspected to have escaped to Nepal. Spokesperson Aditya Insan and Pawan Insan are also on Haryana's list of 43 most-wanted over the Panchkula violence. As for the influential 'godman', he is now in Rohtak jail, earning Rs. 20 daily for growing vegetables and pruning trees.
