Chandigarh: Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, aged 56, was acquitted by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday in the Ranjit Singh murder case. Ranjit Singh, a former manager of Dera Sacha Sauda, was murdered in 2002. In 2021, a CBI court had convicted Ram Rahim and four others, sentencing them to life imprisonment. Ram Rahim subsequently challenged the CBI court’s verdict in the high court.
The Dera chief is currently serving a sentence in another case related to the rape of two sadhvis (female disciples) within the Dera premises and his involvement in the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati, who had extensively reported on the allegations of sexual misconduct against Ram Rahim.
Advocate Mahendra Joshi stated that the CBI court had previously awarded life imprisonment to Ram Rahim and the other accused. He noted, “An appeal was filed against the verdict, and a hearing was conducted. The order had been reserved for the last month. The high court accepted all five appeals and overturned the Panchkula CBI Court’s verdict. The high court has acquitted them,” reported PTI.
Background and Legal Proceedings:
The Dera Sacha Sauda, based in Sirsa, Haryana, gained notoriety after multiple sexual assault allegations were made against its chief, prompting a CBI investigation. The initial conviction in the Ranjit Singh murder case was part of a broader series of legal actions against Ram Rahim, including his conviction for the rape of his disciples and his involvement in the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati.
The high court’s decision to acquit Ram Rahim and the other accused in the Ranjit Singh murder case marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battles surrounding the controversial Dera chief.
Impact and Reactions:
The acquittal is expected to generate varied reactions, given Ram Rahim’s controversial past and the significant public interest in his legal proceedings. The decision might be seen as a relief for his followers but could also prompt further scrutiny and legal challenges from those seeking justice for the victims.
As of now, Ram Rahim continues to serve his sentence related to the rape charges and the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati, but the high court’s recent ruling adds another layer to his complex legal saga.
