In a significant turn of events, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has acquitted Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and four others in the 2002 murder case of Dera manager Ranjit Singh. This decision overturns a 2021 conviction by a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court, which had sentenced the accused to life imprisonment.
The Background of the Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s case
Ranjit Singh, a manager at the Dera in Sirsa, Haryana, was murdered on July 10, 2002, in Kurukshetra. The incident led to an FIR at the Thanesar police station, and by November 2003, the Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered a CBI investigation into the matter.
According to the CBI chargesheet, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh suspected Ranjit Singh of circulating an anonymous letter. This letter, which alleged the sexual exploitation of female followers (sadhvis) by the Dera chief, was also reported by Sirsa-based journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati, who was subsequently murdered. The Dera chief had been previously convicted for Chhatrapati’s murder.
The 2021 CBI Court Conviction
In October 2021, a special CBI court in Panchkula found Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and his co-accused—Jasbir Singh, Sabdil Singh, Krishan Lal, and Avtar Singh—guilty. They were convicted under Section 302 (murder) read with Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and Section 506 (criminal intimidation) read with Section 120B. Sabdil Singh was also found guilty under Section 27 of the Arms Act, 1959.
The CBI court had sentenced all five accused to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 31 lakh on Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, along with Rs 50,000 fines on the other accused.
The High Court Acquittal
On Tuesday, a division bench of Justice Sureshwar Thakur and Justice Lalit Batra of the Punjab and Haryana High Court allowed the appeals filed by the convicted individuals. The detailed order from the high court is awaited, but the acquittal marks a significant legal victory for Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and his co-accused.
Dera chief’s lawyer, Jitender Khurana, welcomed the decision, while advocate Mahendra Joshi highlighted that the high court had reserved its order for a month before delivering the verdict. The court accepted all five appeals, setting aside the CBI court’s verdict and acquitting all the accused, including Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
Ram Rahim’s Legal Troubles
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the head of the Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda, is no stranger to controversy. He is currently serving a 20-year jail term for raping two of his disciples. Despite his imprisonment, his influence within the sect remains substantial.
The Broader Implications
The acquittal of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and the four others raises broader questions about the Indian legal system and its handling of high-profile cases involving influential figures. Critics argue that such acquittals may undermine public confidence in the judicial process, especially in cases involving serious allegations like murder and sexual exploitation. Additionally, this verdict could have ramifications for ongoing and future investigations into allegations against powerful sect leaders and their organizations.
The case of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh underscores the complexities and challenges faced by the judiciary in delivering justice in cases entangled with significant social, political, and religious influences. As the public and legal experts await the detailed order from the high court, the debate over justice and accountability in such high-stakes cases is likely to continue, shaping the discourse around legal reforms and the protection of vulnerable individuals within powerful institutions.
The acquittal of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the Ranjit Singh murder case has sparked various reactions. While supporters of the Dera chief celebrate the decision, critics question the legal processes and the implications for justice in high-profile cases. As the detailed judgment from the high court is awaited, this case continues to be a focal point in discussions about legal accountability and the power dynamics within religious sects in India.
For the latest updates and more detailed analysis on Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s legal battles and their implications, stay tuned.
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