The Haryana Government on Friday said it has put on hold Rs 51 lakh announced for the Dera Sacha Sauda in the wake of the conviction of sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in rape cases while the police hoped it would gather vital leads after questioning an arrested Dera functionary.
In a statement, Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma said Rs 51 lakh out of his discretionary funds quota to 'Khel Gaon' of Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa, stood withdrawn, keeping in view the verdict delivered by a CBI court convicting Ram Rahim Singh on August 25 in the rape cases.
The minister had announced the amount on August 16 during his visit to the Dera headquarters for the sect head's week- long birthday celebrations.
Dera spokesperson Dilawar Insan, arrested yesterday for allegedly inciting violence after the conviction of its chief in the rape cases, was sent to police custody today for seven days by a court in Panchkula, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Panchkula, Manbir Singh said.
Dilawar, a core member of the Dera, was arrested from Sonipat district. He had gone underground after the conviction of the sect head and has been booked for sedition and other charges under the Indian Penal Code.
Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) B S Sandhu said the questioning of Dilawar could help in tracing the other key Dera functionaries including Honeypreet Insan, the adopted daughter of Ram Rahim Singh, and Aditya Insan against whom lookout notices have been issued.
His questioning could also throw light on the planning of the incidents of violence and arson in Panckula and Sirsa which had left 41 people dead and scores of others injured, the police said.
The Dera head was sentenced on August 28 to 20 years in prison in the rape cases and at present is lodged in Sunaria jail in Rohtak.
Meanwhile, contingents of paramilitary troops and the Haryana Police have been deployed in Panchkula as security arrangements were tightened ahead of tomorrow's hearing in two murder cases against Ram Rahim Singh.