NEW DELHI, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- At least three Indian policemen were arrested for trying to help jailed self-styled Indian godman and spiritual guru Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh escape in northern state of Haryana, officials said Friday.
Singh, the chief of religious sect Dera Sacha Sauda, was convicted of rape last month by an Indian court and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.
"A Special Investigation team arrested three commandos of Haryana armed Police from Panchkula," an official said. "All the three were charged with attempt to help Singh to fled away from the CBI court last month and subsequently a case of sedition was registered against them."
The policemen were part of the Dera chief's security detail during his appearance before the court. Over the years they had become his devotees.
Officials said the men were part of an "escape plan" devised by Singh's followers. Though authorities are not spelling out details about the "escape plan" but they say it was frustrated by police.
His conviction by the court triggered large scale violence in the state. Singh's followers went on rampage and resorted to arson burning vehicles, train coaches, petrol stations etc. At least 38 people were killed and over 250 others injured in the violence.
The 50-year-old Singh claims to run a "social welfare and spiritual organization" having 50 million followers.
He was convicted in a case dating back to 2002 for raping two of his women followers inside his sprawling headquarters, spread over 800 acres in Sirsa district of the state.
