Chandigarh, Aug 24 (IANS): Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on Thursday appealed to his followers to maintain peace, ahead of the judgment by a CBI court in a rape case against him.

And ending speculation, he said he would appear before the court on Friday.

"I have always respected the law. Despite pain in my back, I will obey the law and must visit the court," Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh tweeted.

He urged his followers to maintain peace. "I believe in God. All should maintain peace."

A Central Bureau of Investigation court in Panchkula adjoining Chandigarh will pronounce its verdict in the rape case against Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on Friday. The court has asked the sect chief to appear in the court.

The case has been going on since 2007.

The sect chief, who has lakhs of followers in Punjab, Haryana and other states, has been accused by a former female follower of raping her more than once inside the sprawling Dera campus on the outskirts of Sirsa town in Haryana, 260 km from Chandigarh.

Nearly two lakh sect followers have reached Panchkula and nearby places from across Punjab, Haryana and other states, raising fears of possible violence.