A benumbed-state is finding it difficult to control its own Frankenstein monster as fear of a judgement in a sexual abuse and assault case hangs on his shoulders with possible repercussions from followers, creating a huge fear psychosis in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. The author teasingly hides the identity of the defendant.

Somebody has a nuisance value. Someone has been accused by his followers of sexual assault and criminal attacks. Somebody may be punished for outraging the modesty of a woman by the courts.

This someone wanted to imitate the tenth master Guru Gobind Singh. This someone was powerful enough to make inroads into DSGMC and SGPC leadership and get a pardon from the Akal Takht. Well, almost.

In clashes between his followers euphemistically called Insans and Premis, devout Sikhs have been harassed, detained and killed by the police.

This someone has produced, directed and acted in movies. He dresses like a movie star and he conducts world-record making cleanliness and blood donation drives.

Even as an accused, he is not an outcaste. Over the years that the sexual assault case continued in the Panchkula court, ministers, members of Parliament, chief ministers, the who of Haryana politics and administration have unabashedly paid obeisance to him.

“He wanted to imitate the tenth master Guru Gobind Singh. This someone was powerful enough to make inroads into DSGMC and SGPC leadership and get a pardon from the Akal Takht. Well, almost.”

The state provides him Z-plus security at the expense of the exchequer and expensive instruments were purchased to make his participation in the court proceedings through video-conferencing possible. In December 2014, the Punjab and Haryana High court opined that training of private commandos and arming them with illegal weapons (by the Sirsa dera) to protect some individuals would definitely pose a challenge “not only to the judiciary, but also to the State”.

Media is reporting that now the cult followers are threatening “that in case the decision goes against their head, they will resort to violence”. The impotent state cannot react against such utterances, can it?

Social media abounds with fake and real messages from the police and administration. People are cancelling trips and those who have to go are planning for air travel. Leave for police and health personnel have been cancelled.

Political bodies who have benefitted from the accused’s patronage and favours are keeping their fingers crossed. Photographic evidence notwithstanding, they know how to switch sides should their expectations and calculations go wrong and haywire.

“On August 25, 2017 at 2.30 pm, concluding a 15-year-old case, with nearly 10 years of trial, it will be between the Special Court judge Jagdeep Singh versus the “Messenger of God” who has held the entire state to ransom.”

Be prepared to withstand the onslaught of his heretical cult. Be warned that you have to prepare and protect yourself against possible hooliganism that may be let loose, Section 144 and hundreds of companies of reserve police notwithstanding. More than a hundred thousand followers, armed with sticks and more have made a beeline to Panchkula, bordering Chandigarh. The Cricket stadium in Sector 16 has been declared a sub-jail. The state and police machinery appears to be on tenterhooks.

This someone may or may not present himself in court as directed by the Panchkula CBI Court. On August 25, 2017 at 2.30 pm, concluding a 15-year-old case, with nearly 10 years of trial, it will be the Special Court judge Jagdeep Singh versus the “Messenger of God” who has held the entire state to ransom and is now talking of self-less service on twitter.

Will nemesis catch up? Will the state become impotent again? Meetings of the administration, police, politicians are being held on an hour to hour basis. The whole state is on its toes, literally.

The Frankenstein monster is on the leash. He is Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh -names from three religions but with wisdom of none.