Ahead of the verdict in a murder case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, at least 2,000 security personnel, including Haryana Police and paramilitary forces, were deployed in Panchkula. Several roads were barricaded as the district administration braced for a possible clash in case the verdict against Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh goes against him. Police personnel were deployed throughout the city even as they restricted the entry to the Sector 1 district courts and also blocked three out of four entry points.
At least 500 security personnel have been assigned to be around the district courts alone. Traffic movement was blocked on all arterial roads, including Chandigarh-Old Panchkula link road to NH-22, which also leads to Sector 1 and the district courts. The state government has in the meantime imposed Section 144 of CrPC in all districts. The ultimate aim to prevent Dera followers from assembling at the district court complex, where the special CBI court is scheduled to pronounce the verdict on Friday.