Indian guru faces up to life in prison in rape case
NEW DELHI — Thousands of supporters of an Indian quasi-religious sect leader left his headquarters in northern India on Sunday as authorities relaxed a curfew a day ahead of his sentencing for rape.
They responded to an appeal by authorities to go home after thousands of followers protested the guru’s rape conviction with violence that left at least 38 people dead in Panchkula and Sirsa towns in Haryana state on Friday. The guru faces seven years to life in prison.
Police spokesman Surjeet Singh said the curfew imposed in Sirsa, where the headquarters is located, was relaxed for five hours on Sunday to help people buy food and other essential items and outsiders to return home.
Singh said nearly 20,000 people had left the guru’s headquarters since Saturday. However, the presence of another 10,000 or so there has raised fears that they may turn violent again after their leader is sentenced on Monday.