At least 50 people, including over 20 policemen, were injured in violent protests in Bathinda and Sriganganagar in Rajasthan.
The Dera head had been accused by the CBI of two murders -- Dera manager Ranjit Singh and scribe Ram Chander Chattarapati -- besides rape of his disciple.
A young woman said to be a follower of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect immolated herself at her house in a village near Bathinda on Friday, allegedly as she was upset due to the Dera-Sikh row.
"I thought that rediff.com was only a portal and had nothing to do with news," he said.
Earlier, the CBI filed a "status report" in the court of Justices Adesh Kumar Goel and Ajay Lamba about the three cases in compliance of the high court's order.
Talking about the earlier two apologies sent by the Dera Sacha Sauda, Vedanti described them as mere 'press notes' and alleged the language used in the text was not proper.
Who controls the government in Punjab?
The cases relate to the murder of a Sirsa-based journalist Ram Chander Chatterpatti and Dera Manager Ranjit Singh besides other related cases.
A Bench comprising Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice D K Jain said there was no urgency in the matter for early hearing.
Mediators said the purpose of the move was to avoid any more confrontation between the communities.
"We are trying to simplify the draft statement which we will telephonically discuss with the Sikh leaders", he said.
Swami Agnivesh speaks about the Dera-Sikh standoff, which he is attempting to resolve.
The Sikh high priests have also demanded that Ram Rahim tender an unqualified apology for wearing clothes similar to that of the tenth Guru Gobind Singh.
Agnivesh said Sant Gurmit Ram Raheem Singh should tender an 'open hearted apology' if the situation is to improve in Punjab and other states.
Rajnath Singh was flooded with question on the Dera controversy and he had to be careful not to say anything that would embarrass Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal.
As the Sikh's highest temporal seat gave an ultimatum to the Punjab government to close down the Deras by May 27, it rejected the regret expressed by Dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
The actor's arrest had sparked social media outrage with people calling it an attack on the freedom of speech.
The list includes names like Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, Rampal, Asaram and his son Narayan Sai.
There will not be any change in leadership, said Khattar after submitting a report to Shah on the violence in Haryana.
The bench, comprising acting Chief Justice S S Saron and Justices Surya Kant and Avneesh Jhingan, directed that no FIR registered by the two states during the episode shall be cancelled without the permission of the high court.
The CBI claims Kishan Lal, who is one of the managers at the Dera Sachha Sauda, owned by a self-styled godman Maharaj Gurmeet Singh on the outskirts of Sirsa, was allegedly involved in the murder of Ranjit Singh in July 2002.
The Punjab government on Saturday decided to put a ban on the screening of the controversial movie 'Messenger of God' featuring Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh, in apprehension of breach of peace.
Honeypreet Insan's former husband also claimed that the self-styled godman used to organise a 'Bigg Boss'-like show in his secret cave involving couples.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim also made an appeal to his followers to go back to their homes, a development which may come as a big relief to security personnel.
After censor board chief Leela Samson, another board member Ira Bhaskar has decided to resign over the state of affairs in the running of the statutory body.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has sought a ban on ashrams run by 'godmen' like Rampal, saying they have become centres of "terror" in the name of faith.
State govt said it is not averse to seeking Army's help to maintain law and order.
Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi tweeted, 'Prime Minister Imran Khan will break ground at Kartarpura facilities on 28 November.'
As a book offering "dramatised biography" of Congress President Sonia Gandhi hit stands in India, the party on Friday asserted it could take legal action if the contents of the book were "objectionable".
Honeypreet stood in the courtroom with folded hands and pleaded innocence with tears in her eyes.
The controversy over Sant Rampal and his army of followers taking the law into their hands has once again thrown the spotlight on the clout that India's godmen possess.
Centre asked Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana governments to tighten security as the three states have a large number of followers of Asaram.
Dera Saccha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on Friday said he was unaware of the reasons behind Central Board of Film Certification chairperson Leela Samson's resignation, adding that those protesting against his movie Messenger of God have not seen it yet.
Lok Sabha elections result of 2019 tells us the Modi wave has only consolidated, instead of waning.
This is only the second endorsement in the baba-led space by a celebrity after wrestler Sushil Kumar featured in an ad last year for Patanjali Ghee.
Amid apprehensions that Sikh hardliners might object to the customary address by the Akal Takht jathedar at the Golden Temple, Amritsar city was turned into a fortress with about 5,000 security personnel comprising seven companies of paramilitary forces being deployed to maintain law and order.
The court's order was based on the grounds that she has been evading arrest.
Zee News editor Sudhir Chaudhary on Monday moved the Delhi High Court seeking anticipatory bail in a case registered against him for telecast of a show allegedly based on forged documents against Jindal Group in connection with Coalgate.
The bureaucracy in Haryana blamed the government for inexperience and criminal negligence.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances