Did Dera chief’s guards try to help him flee?

Chandigarh: A Haryana police officer said seven security personnel attempted to take Baba Ram Rahim away in their vehicle after he stepped out of the court. It is being seen as an attempt to help him escape.

"They could have taken him to his thousands of followers who had gathered about one kilometre from the court comple
x after which it would have become very tough for the security forces to arrest him without causing several fatalities," the officer said.

Some Haryana Police officers and paramilitary personnel inside the court premises thwarted the attempt after a brief scuffle and ensured Ram Rahim, who heads the Dera Sacha Sauda sect, was put into a police vehicle and driven to a helicopter that flew him to Rohtak, where he has been lodged in prison.

Witness said Ram Rahim's guards even lay down in front of the police vehicle to prevent it from being driven away and were removed.

They were detained in a separate room immediately and later booked for attempt to murder, sedition and trying to prevent police officials from performing their duty. After their arrest, they have been remanded in police custody.

Police officers said the five cops ranging from Assistant Sub Inspector to Head Constables in rank, had been assigned for Ram Rahim's security for several years and had turned into followers who had no compunction in assaulting their own senior officers.

Ram Rahim left the court premises with several assistants carrying out bags and other luggage. Haryana has sacked one of its top lawyers, Deputy Advocate General Gurdass Singh Salwara, who was caught on camera holding Ram Rahim Singh's bright orange suitcase.