Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi (SP)

New Delhi, Aug 30: Gurmeet Ram Rahim, who headed Dera Sacha Sauda, was not in favour of giving up worldly pleasures in pursuit of spirituality. His lifestyle was modern and luxurious. When Haryana police undertook detailed investigation into over a hundred Deras spread over Haryana, they were surprised to find that the Deras or Ashrams had ultra luxrious rooms complete with furniture that was imported and luxury items. The Dera of the jailed leader at sector 23, Panchkula had even some items having decorations carved in gold.

The police also found that each of the Deras had special rooms which were accessible only by the self-styled godman and a select few of his followers. The Deras were stocked with iron rods, sticks and bottles filled with petrol, which were promptly seized by the police recently. Ram Rahim also was a great fan of cosmetics and sex tonics which he used liberally, they found out.

With adopted daughter Honeypreet Insan

Ram Rahim lived in a place named as 'Gufa' but after his sexual escapades became public, he renamed his residence as 'Tera Vaas'. He owns a large number of imported high end cars and his followers always kept the cars covered and ensured that no one had an inkling as to which car he would be using to travel. He had also modified several cars to suit his taste and needs including building of partition between the driver and passenger section so that the driver does not come to know what is happening behind him.

A team deputed by local administration rescued over 18 girls from the Dera headquarters at Sirsa. Deputy commissioner of Sirsa district, Prabhjot Singh, stated that the girls, all of whom are aged 18 or less, have been given under the care of child protection officer and that they would be sent to child protection institutes located at various places.

Curfew imposed in Sirsa town has been lifted but the prohibitory orders in and around Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters continues. The high court has already ordered both Punjab and Haryana governments to set up special investigating teams to probe all cases registered against the Baba.

There is curiosity about inheritance of the Sacha Sauda empire now. Currently, three persons, son of Ram Rahim, Jasmeet, adopted daughter, Honeypreet, and chairperson of the Dera, Vipasana Insan, are in the race. Ir is popularly believed that Honeypreet Insan, who is considered to be very close to the Dera chief, will succeed her father. Honeypreet was with Ram Rahim when he was produced in the special CBI court at Panchakula for pronouncement of verdict on Friday. Honeypreet's original name was Priyanka Taneja. She married Vishwas Gupta in 1999 at a function held at the Dera in the presence of its chief. After she approached Ram Rahim complaining about dowry demand by her in-laws in 2011, the Dera chief adopted her as his daughter.

In May 2011, Vishwas had claimed that Ram Rahim and Honeypreet were having illicit affair and he stated that he saw for himself that the two were in a compromising position. He also approached the high court seeking to rescue his wife from the Dera. Later, Viswas accompanied by his family visited the Dera, apologized for their deeds and withdrew all complaints. Vishwas now refuses to talk on the issue, and his lawyer told the media later that Vishwas faced several threats after which he gave up and agreed for a compromise.