India guru rape case: 13 die in unrest as Ram Rahim Singh convicted

Who is Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh?

• Controversial leader of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect, which claims to have 60 million followers around the world
• Took over the sect - which describes itself as "a non-profit social welfare and spiritual organisation - when he was 23
• Performs at rock concerts, acts in films and even has his own line of food products
• Known as "rockstar baba" and "guru of bling" because of his shiny, colourful clothes
• Has been accused of mocking Sikh and Hindu figures
• Has been investigated for murder and rape, charges he denies
• Has been accused of forcing followers to undergo castration to "get closer to god"

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh criticised his counterpart in the state of Haryana for allowing so many of Singh's followers to travel to Chandigarh.

Chandigarh is the capital of both states.

The border between the two states has been sealed.

(Image caption:Tens of thousands of the guru's supporters had flocked to Chandigarh)

Singh had arrived at court in Panchkula, near Chandigarh, from his ashram in Haryana in a convoy of more than 100 vehicles.

Schools and offices in the area were closed, trains were stopped, roads were blocked and three stadiums were set aside as makeshift prisons in case of trouble, officials said.