DSS Chief Gurmeet sentenced to ten-year imprisonment for rape

Giving a strong message that no one is above the law, Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who is one of the wealthiest and most powerful spiritual leaders of India, has been sentenced to ten-year imprisonment for rape. A couple of days before, when the court announced him guilty in the controversial rape case, a state of violence broke out in several parts of the North India, particularly in Delhi and Haryana. In order to avoid such situation, the state of curfew has been imposed in the highly vulnerable regions and the army has been put on standby.   Mr Gurmeet, who is a self-styled godman, has, as per his own opinion, nearly sixty million followers around the world. The flamboyant spiritual leader is an all-rounder. He acts in films, sings songs and runs a huge business empire. He often strikes controversies through his luxury lifestyle and his habit of delivering derogatory comments against the Sikh and Hindu figures. It is said that he has many supporters among the political class. Apart from the rape case, he has also faced investigation in a murder case. Despite his criminal record he has been enjoying the top category security, proves his influence in the political system of the country. The national media has reported even in this juncture many leaders are showing reluctance to make a strong statement against the leader. Some intellectuals claim that those political leaders and political parties who use the community appeasement tactics for their personal benefits are responsible for this kind of bad culture of the emergence of the criminal community leader who dares to do all kind of criminal activities enjoying the shelter created by exploiting the innocent people’s weakness of blind belief.

Vignesh

Photo Courtesy : Google/ images are subject to copyright