Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Rape Case LIVE: US Embassy Issues Advisory Ahead of Verdict

Dera Sacha Sauda supporters camped at Pachkula are refusing to heed the high court appeal, and will remain there all night.

US Embassy has issued an advisory to US citizens in Punjab and Haryana. The advisory reads: verdict is due in the court case of the head of the Dera Sacha Sauda spiritual organization; high alerts and a ban on unauthorized gatherings are in place in Chandigarh until August 25, and in Panchkula, Fatehabad, Sirsa and Hissar (Haryana) and Zirakpur (Punjab) until August 30, due to the possibility of violence in these areas following the verdict.

The advisory has told them to avoid large gatherings, follow the advice of the local authorities, monitor local media, and keep in touch with your travel company.  Local road and rail travel may be significantly disrupted during this period.

Punjab and Haryana High Court has appealed to Dera Sacha Sauda supporters to leave the city. the court has asked the Dera to appeal to theirr supporters to leave Panchkula and not gather in such numbers.

Security forces in Panchkula are now on alert and are preparing for tomorrow's trial.

An estimated one lakh Dera Sacha Sauda supporters have now gathered in Panchkula, and now there are fears that if there is an adverse judgment against Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the situation may go out of control. 

Anticipating trouble, Haryana Government has declared the Chaudhary Tau Devi Lal Stadium Complex, Sector-3, Panchkula in district Panchkula and Dalbir Singh Indoor Stadium, Sirsa in district Sirsa as ‘Speical Jails’ with immediate effect, till further orders. A notification to this effect was issued by Haryana Additional Chief Secretary, Jails Department, Mr Ram Niwas.

Mobile Internet services have been suspended for 72 hours in Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh ahead of the court verdict. The decision to suspend mobile Internet services was taken in a coordination committee meeting of Haryana, Punjab and Union Territory Chandigarh held under the chairmanship of Punjab Governor and UT Administrator.

As many as 150 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed in Punjab and Haryana to assist the police forces in maintaining law and order, a Union Home Ministry official said. One paramilitary company comprises over 100 personnel.

Security personnel using drones in Panchkula, Haryana

Security personnel have cordoned off approaches to the CBI special court in Panchkula as a precaution. Drones have also been deployed to keep an eye on the situation.

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Rah Rahim Singh has issue an appeal to his supporters to be peaceful tomorrow

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has come down on Haryana government and police over the situation. "what was the use of section 144 if tens of thousands of Dera supporters have already entered the city," the court asked the government.

CNN-News18 Executive Editor Bhupendra Chaubey recalls an interview with Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

Ahead of the verdict, a large number of Dera Sacha Sauda followers from various parts of Punjab and Haryana have flocked Panchkula. They could be seen along many roads and also in various public parks.

The sexual exploitation case was registered against the Dera chief in 2002 by the CBI on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court after anonymous letters were circulated about the alleged sexual exploitation of two 'sadhvis' (female followers) by Gurmeet Ram Rahim. The Dera chief has denied these charges.

Till the tweet, it was being speculated whether the Dera Sacha Sauda chief would appear in court on Friday.

Meanwhile, Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on Thursday said that he would be present at the special CBI court in Panchkula for the verdict 

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh will on Friday appear in person before a CBI court in Panchkula in a rape case.

Amidst reports that Dera Sacha Sauda followers are stocking up on arms and ammunitions, 150 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed in Punjab and Haryana. The Ministry of Railways has decided to cancel 22 trains passing through the two states. Haryana has also suspended mobile internet for 72 hours.

Nearly two lakh Dera Sacha Sauda followers have already descended on Panchkula and its nearby places from across the two states and its neighbouring areas.

Curfew Like restrictions have been imposed in Chandigarh and Panchkula on Thursday, just a day before the judgment in a rape case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh by a special CBI court. According to reports, the government was also mulling temporarily banning mobile internet services in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh in case the situation deteriorates.