Chandigarh: Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh had direct access to the sadhvis' hostel inside the dera headquarters in Sirsa. The large government team conducting a search operation inside the 750-acre campus under the supervision of court commissioner AKS Pawar on Saturday found one specially designed tunnel that went from the ground floor of the dera head's plush residence to the sadhvis' hostel. “Officials have found a window-shaped secret tunnel that connected Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's gufa or terawas to the sadhvis' hostel,“ said Haryana deputy director of public relations Satish Mehra.

There are allegations that he sexually exploited a large number of the women disciples over the years. Sources said constructions like this tunnel may have allowed him to continue with his exploitation without being noticed by other followers in the dera.

The tunnel itself is in a sense self-sufficient as it had four rooms along with attached washrooms.

Mehra however refused to give details like the size and length of the tunnel. Gurmeet has been convicted of raping at least two sadhvis in 2002 and sentenced to 20 years in jail. There are allegations that he sexually exploited a large number of the women disciples over the years. Sources said constructions like this tunnel may have allowed him to continue with his exploitation without being noticed by other followers in the dera.

The search and seizure operation is being conducted with the help of a large posse of police, paramilitary personnel along with other government officials.

Sources told media that the warden's room in the home for adopted girls also had a secret passage which was hidden behind a cupboard and led to a large congregation hall in which followers gathered. The home is known as the Shahi Betiyan Basera and housed women and girls of different ages who were either orphans or hand only one parent.

Government officials further informed media persons that he district child protection officer and the Child Welfare Committee had inspected the home recently and told the dera to seal it. An official requesting anonymity said, “During the inspection, we traced the door in the room occupied by the wrden and caretakers. We objected to it and told the management that such a facility could land them in trouble in the future.“

According to the official, the five rooms where girls lived had no such doors. Raj Kingra, a former member of the 45-member management committee of the dera said, “The hidden door from Shahi Basera led to two more doors and were interlinked.“ Baba Gurmeet's sexual adventures had no parallel in history of democractic India said an official.