WATCH: 600 skeletons found in Dera Sacha Sauda chief Ram Rahim's headquarters

A special investigation team has unearthed 600 skeletons buried inside the Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda compound in north India's Haryana just days after an intensive search. 

Dera Sacha Sauda chief, Gurmeet Ram Rahim, the self-made godman, was convicted on rape charges last month, and was sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment by a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court.  

During investigations by the SIT, Dera managing committee members have reportedly insisted that the "human bones and remains" found in the Sirsa campus belonged to those followers who believed that they or their family members would achieve salvation by being buried inside the Dera.

However, it is also suspected that these remains may be of those who were aware of the malpractices taking place inside the campus, or those who were trying to raise their voice again the Dera. The possibility is being looked into that these people were attacked by Gurmeet Ram Rahim's followers and their bodies buried inside the campus.

These are preliminary, initial reports suggesting that 600 skeletons and bones have been recovered from the Dera campus, but more clarity in the matter is awaited as Haryana Police and the SIT probe the case further.