51 lakh grant given to Ram Rahim was held back after his conviction: Haryana Education minister Ram Bilas Sharma

The Haryana Government on Friday said that it held back a Rs. 51 lakh grant accorded to Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh after his conviction was announced.

Talking to media here, Haryana Education minister Ram Bilas Sharma said, "The announcement of discretionary grant of 51 lakh to Dera Sacha Sauda was withdrawn on August 25, when Ram Rahim was convicted."

Earlier, Sharma had visited Sirsa, prostrated before the dera chief and gave him a government grant of Rs 51 lakh.

On August 25, the Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court, Panchkula, convicted Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a 2002 rape case, after which violence unleashed in Haryana and Punjab, claiming at least 36 lives.

The self-styled godman has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. (ANI)