3 reasons why police may fail to prove charges against Honeypreet of inciting violence

Though Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim's "adopted daughter" Honeypreet Insan has been arrested, she may finally be acquitted of her charges.

Honeypreet is primarily accused of inciting violence in the wake of Ram Rahim's conviction by a special court in Panchkula. The violence had left 41 people dead.

Honeypreet had escaped after escorting Ram Rahim to jail following the latter's conviction. She was at large for 38 days before being arrested today by the Haryana Police.

But Honeypreet is likely to be acquitted if the police charge her with inciting violence.

Here are the reasons:

ABSENCE FROM SCENE OF VIOLENCE

It may be difficult for the prosecution to prove Honeypreet's culpability because of her absence from the scene of violence. She had constantly accompanied Ram Rahim after the court had pronounced its judgment. From the court, she even went along with Ram Rahim to the jail.

In today's interview to India Today TV, Honeypreet has emphasised this point.

Refuting reports of role in the violence, she said, "I cannot believe that I am being dubbed a traitor. We have been making films on patriotism and they are calling us traitors. The allegations are not true. They accuse me of being involved in riots, but do they have any evidence against me. I don't know why my name has been brought into this. I was in the chopper with papa (Ram Rahim) when he was being taken to jail. We were not even aware of any unrest. My movement was being monitored, how could I have instigated riots?"

She further said, "How are they making me an accused. I was there with my Papa (Ram Rahim) and discharging my duty as a daughter (on August 25)... Every daughter remains with her father, I went with him. Have you heard me saying a word where I instigate people? I had gone there (to CBI court in Panchkula) with a hope that my father will return by evening, but when he was held guilty, I went into depression, how could I think about anything else, I was totally devastated," she said.

GROUP CONVICTION

Honeypreet tops the list of 43 people "wanted" by the Haryana Police in connection with the incidents of violence killing 41 people and injuring many.

It is quite difficult to convict the accused involved in mob violence. Be it 1984 anti-Sikh riots, 1992 Babri Masjid demolition or 2002 Gujarat riots, conviction has been rare, difficult and sparse.

The case of violence after Ram Rahim's conviction may also meet the same fate.

RAMPAL'S CASE

Self-styled godman Rampal was acquitted in similar cases by a local court in Hisar on August 29.

Rampal was held not guilty of the wrongful confinement, unlawful assembly and disobedience to an order promulgated by a public servant.

The controversial godman was arrested by police in November 2014 following a 30-hour standoff wherein Rampal's militia allegedly tried to stop paramilitary forces from entering the Satlok ashram. Subsequently, sedition charge was slapped on him and some of his followers.