As convicted Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim's confidante Honeypreet begins to spill beans, the Haryana police have planned a face-off with sect's chairperson Vipassana in connection with the Panchkula riots.
At least 35 people had died in the rioting and arson that followed conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Ram Rahim in a 15-year-old rape case. Two former sadhvis of the Dera has accused Ram Rahim of rape and sexual exploitation in his private chamber at the Dera headquarters at Sirsa in Haryana.
In the custody of Haryana police, Honeypreet had made several startling revelations with regard to the functioning of the Dera and also the Panchkula riots. Honeypreet had told the police that black money was used to foment trouble at Panchkula after Ram Rahim was convicted of rape.
The Haryana police yesterday took Honeypreet to Bathinda and Sri Ganganagar in connection with the violence that followed the sect head's conviction in a rape case. The police also issued a notice asking Dera chairperson Vipassana Insan to join the investigation.
The police are probing the role of Honeypreet Insan, who calls herself Ram Rahim Singh's adopted daughter, in inciting the large scale violence that took place in Panchkula after the Dera chief's conviction in a rape case on August 25.
HONEYPREET VERSUS VIPASSANA: THINGS TO KNOW
Police had asked Vipassana to turn up for questioning on Tuesday but she did not appear before the officials citing medical grounds. She had been required for questioning in connection with the probe into the August 25 violence that claimed 35 lives in Panchkula alone.
The officials questioning 36-year-old Honeypreet feel that she is misleading and not cooperating with the police during the interrogation. Honeypreet, whose real name is Priyanka Taneja, was arrested by the Haryana Police on October 3. A court in Panchkula has extended her police remand till October 13.
She was at the top of a list of 43 people "wanted" by the state police in connection with the violence. Haryana police had on September 1 issued a look-out notice against Honeypreet Insan and another key aide of the Dera chief, Aditya Insan, following apprehensions that they might try to "escape from the country".
Following the conviction of the Dera chief, violence had erupted in Panchkula and Sirsa, where the Dera is headquartered, claiming 41 lives. The Dera chief has been sentenced to 20 years in jail for raping two female disciples.
Meanwhile, police sources said that Honeypreet told the investigators that black money was used in mobilising a huge gathering of Ram Rahim's followers at Panchkula.
Honeypreet claimed that a sum of Rs 8 crore was drawn from the chest of the Dera Sacha Sauda to foment trouble at Panchkula. Honeypreet told the police about a file that has details of the money spent for Panchkula trouble.
Haryana police took Honeypreet to Bathinda in Punjab and Sriganganar in Rajasthan in corroborate her statements. On the basis of the information provided by her the Haryana police have seized certain documents form Gurusar Modia in Rajasthan during a 4-hour raid yesterday.
Haryana police have also seized documentary proof to establish how Honeypreet escaped on August 28 and reached Gurusar Modia in Rajasthan. Honeypreet has told the officials that she used a Lexus car - favourite of Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
After fleeing the Dera in Rs 1.5 crore luxurious car, the vehicle was put to flames by sect's supporters on August 28 afternoon outside the sect's headquartes. This was apparently done at the instance of Honeypreet. Some crucial documents were also consigned to flames with the car.
Haryana police want to corroborate the statements given by Honeypreet with those of Vipassana and confront each other over the post-conviction violence and destruction of evidence.
(With PTI inputs)
