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Chandigarh/Panchkula: The trial of self-styled Indian "godman" Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who is accused of rape, has triggered a security lockdown in parts of Punjab and Haryana with police closing schools and converting a cricket stadium into a jail in case his followers erupt into violence if he is found guilty.
Thousands of Singh's supporters have begun assembling close to the court in Punjab, where he is on trial for raping two women in cases that date back to 2002. A verdict is expected on Friday.
The case was registered in 2002 by the CBI on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court after anonymous letters were circulated about the alleged sexual exploitation of two 'sadhvis' (female followers) by Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
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