The Centre on Tuesday asked Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana to tighten security and deploy forces ahead of the verdict by a Jodhpur court in a rape case against self-styled godman Asaram Bapu. The MHA told the three States to beef up security and ensure no violence takes place after the judgement on Wednesday.

The three States were also told to deploy additional forces in sensitive places, the Home Ministry official said. Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana have large number of followers of Asaram. Prohibitory orders have already been issued in Jodhpur where the trial court will deliver its verdict in the Central Jail premises, as directed by the Rajasthan High Court. “We have made all arrangements for the judgement day,” DIG Jail Vikram Singh said.

“The magistrate along with court staff, Asaram and the co-accused along with the defence and prosecution counsels will remain present in the courtroom in jail premises,” he said.

Security was also stepped up around the victim’s house in Shahajahanpur. “The security for the victim’s family is continuously being monitored... Two more constables will stand guard outside her house in addition to the five policemen already deployed there, and a strict vigil is being maintained on all the visitors using CCTV cameras,” Superintendent of Police KB Singh told PTI .

A vigil was also being kept on Asaram’s ashram at Rudrapur, he said. The Union Home Ministry’s advisory was sent in view of the fact that large-scale violence was seen in Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh after a special court pronounced its verdict in a rape case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim last year.

Final arguments in the case had been completed by the special court for SC/ST cases on April 7 and the court had kept the order reserved to be pronounced on April 25.

Asaram was arrested in Indore and brought to Jodhpur on 1 September, 2013. He is under judicial custody since September 2, 2013.

Ensure no violence takes place: Centre to 3 States