News of the conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for rape by a special CBI court spread like wildfire on Friday — quite literally.
Hundreds of his followers took to the streets in Haryana within moments, as the police tried to restrain the enraged mob. In their zeal to defend their rapist guru, the crowds attacked journalists, set fire to OB vans, burnt down trains and buses and destroyed public property.
The violence spilled over to other states, in Punjab, Delhi and parts of Rajasthan, killing at least 17 and injuring hundreds. From videos and images shared on social media and news agencies, a picture of utter mayhem, confirming the failure of the Haryana administration to control the people, emerge.
Here are some of the most terrifying moments: