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Sirsa shutdown as security forces ‘sanitise’ rapist godman Ram Rahim Singh’s Dera

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Dera lockdown

Police,41 companies of paramilitary forces led by retired sessions judge AKS Pawar in Sirsa to carry out probe ordered by Punjab and Haryana HC at Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters

A massive “sanitation exercise” is currently underway at convicted rapist Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Haryana’s Sirsa district. The search operations that were ordered by the Punjab and Haryana High Court are being overseen by retired District and Sessions Judge AKS Pawar, who was appointed as Court Commissioner for the probe on Tuesday

The entire sanitisation process will be videographed and is out of bounds for the media. Curfew remains enforced on the road leading to the Dera headquarters and no unauthorised person will be allowed to enter the Dera premises till the operation is completed.

Sources privy to the operation said that an undisclosed amount of cash, some weapons, computers, hard disks and various document ts have been seized from the Dera premises and details of these may be made public once the entire proceedings are completed.

However, there have also been startling revelations of a large number of skeletons being recovered from the Dera premises, which according to some Dera insiders who spoke on condition of anonymity, were of the corpses “donated to the hospital located inside the Dera headquarters for the purpose of research”. The forensic team from Roorkee is expected to arrive at the Dera premises later in the day to analyse these skeletons.

Deputy director (information), Satish Mehra informed that the next course of action with regard to the sanitization operation will be decided by Friday evening after meeting between administration officials and Court Commissioner Pawar.

A large number of vehicles, including police buses and paramilitary vehicles, Quick Reaction Team vehicles, bomb disposal squads and anti-sabotage team vehicles, carrying cops and paramilitary personnel along with a posse of administration officials drawn from various government departments are part of the mammoth exercise, sources said. Fire tenders, heavy earth moving machines and tractors have also been pressed into service for the sanitisation exercise.

“We have formed a strategy and are hopeful that the sanitisation process will be conducted in a smooth manner. The Dera management too has expressed willingness to cooperate with the local administration and police during investigation,” said Haryana’s Director General of Police (DGP) BS Sandhu in Chandigarh.

File photo of rapist godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh

File photo of rapist godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh

Vipassana Insan, who took over as the cult’s ‘chairperson’ after Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was recently sentenced to a 20 year jail term for raping two of his followers, has appealed to the Dera followers to “maintain peace and calm”.

“Today (on Friday), the sanitisation process has begun. We have always followed the law. We will extend all cooperation in carrying out this exercise by the government and appeal to all to maintain peace and calm,” Vipassana Insan said in Sirsa.

Court Commissioner Pawar had arrived in Sirsa on Thursday to take stock of the preparedness for the sanitisation exercise. He had held long discussions with top officials of the civil and police administration and made it clear that no disruption should be allowed in the operation.

As many as 16 nakas have been set up near the Dera and a total of 41 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed in the Sirsa district. Policemen of the bomb disposal squad and 40 commandos of the elite Special Weapons and Tactics team along with dog squads are also part of the sanitisation process. Among the central forces, CRPF, Sashastra Seema Bal, Rapid Action Force and BSF have been deployed in Sirsa.

Over the past three days, Dera followers have surrendered over 30 rifles, pistols, hundreds of live cartridges and several sharp-edged and modified weapons to the police after they were issued a 48-hour deadline to do so by the Sirsa police on Sunday.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court had earlier admitted a public interest litigation filed by Ravinder Dhull, a Panchkula resident, who had raised concerns over the law and order situation in Sirsa and stated that over 1.5 lakh people had entered the district despite prohibitory orders.

File photo of the August 25 riots by Dera followers in Sirsa

File photo of the August 25 riots by Dera followers in Sirsa

It may be recalled that Sirsa and Panchkula – where Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was convicted of rape by a special CBI court – had seen the maximum incidents of violence and arson by Dera followers on August 25 after the self-styled godman was held guilty of rape. The violence unleashed by the rapist godman’s followers had led to the death of over 35 people – all reported from Panchkula and Sirsa while damage to property worth crores of rupees was reported from neighbouring states of Punjab, Delhi and Rajasthan.

The Haryana government – which the Punjab and Haryana High Court had reprimanded for its “complete collusion” with the Dera violence – had on Friday filed a plea with the high court seeking “permission to sanitise the Dera headquarters under judicial supervision.”

A report of the whole sanitisation process will be submitted to the high court by the Court Commissioner, with a copy to be given to the state government.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had earlier said that some “objectionable” items were found during the sanitisation of the sect’s namcharcha ghars (congregation centres) from across the state and said that over 100 of these centres that are spread across Haryana have already been sanitised.

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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