NEW DELHI, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people were killed and scores injured Friday after violence broke out in northern Indian state of Haryana following conviction of self-styled godman and spiritual guru Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case, officials said.
Police fired tear gas and warning shots to disperse thousands of Singh's followers that had gathered outside court in Panchkula district near Chandigarh, the capital city of Punjab and Haryana, apparently in a bid to show solidarity with their leader.
Singh was found guilty of raping his two women followers in 2002.
The irate mob attacked policemen and media vans to protest the court verdict.
Singh has been arrested from the court and sentence is likely to be pronounced on Monday.
Local TV news channel News 18 reported that Singh's supporters set two police stations on fire and two railway stations in Punjab have also been torched.
Authorities have deployed massive security in the state in anticipation of trouble in Haryana and Punjab. An alert has been sounded in the twin states. Even army has been put on stand-by to tackle any eventuality.
The court has sought personal appearance of Singh on Friday while delivering the verdict. Singh arrived in a 200-car cavalcade.
The 50-year-old Singh heads a religious sect locally called Dera Sacha Sauda. The sect claims to be a "social welfare and spiritual organization."
Singh, the flamboyant and controversial chief, claims to have 50 million followers and runs a spiritual empire. In his movies "MSG: The Messenger of God" and "MSG2", Singh wears dazzling costumes, rides motorcycle, and is seen sending villains flying.
