Rohtak (Haryana): A CBI Court headed by Special Judge Jagdeep Singh will shortly pronounce the quantum of punishment to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the chief of Dera Sacha Sauda, who was convicted of rape on August 25.

The Judge was flown into the Special Courtroom setup inside the Sunaria Jail in a helicopter where proceedings  were scheduled to begin around 2.30 pm.

A three-tier security ring has been installed around Rohtak’s Sunaria District Jail where the sentence will be pronounced.

The quantum of punishment is expected to be a minimum of seven years and could extend up to life imprisonment.

The administration has issued a stern warning and is keeping vigil in the States of Haryana, Punjab and Delhi ahead of the announcement of sentence keeping in mind the violence that broke out after the verdict was announced where 38 people were killed.

Delhi Police have deployed around 20,000 personnel in the capital to thwart any untoward incident. The Delhi Police have also extended Section 144 imposed in all 11 districts till further orders. While schools and colleges in Delhi and Noida remain open, Ghaziabad administration has announced a holiday for schools today.

Delhi Police say that they are ready to face any eventuality with just hours left for announcement of sentence to convicted Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in Rohtak. People in Sirsa ready themselves to face angry followers after pronouncement of judgement.

Villagers in Shahpur Beghu, 500 metres from the Dera headquarters, said they were “fully prepared” to face violent followers of the  self-styled godman.

Tight security and vigil is being maintained around the Sunaria Jail where proceedings will begin shortly to award the quantum of sentence to convicted Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

Sources have indicated that the CBI counsel may seek maximum punishment of life sentence for rape convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

Rundown to Sentence

• Library inside courtroom converted into courtroom.
• Chopper with CBI Judge Jagdeep Singh, his reader and writer to land inside Rohtak Court at 2 pm.
• Arguments likely to last 60-90 minutes.
• Minimum sentence of 10 years in jail likely.
• Dera Chief’s lawyer will plead for lower sentence on account of his social work, including cleanliness and getting young girls married without dowry.
• CBI Counsel will seek strictest and exemplary punishment
• Order likely to be announced between 3.30 pm and 4 pm.