📷 Image Credits: NDTV
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has made a significant decision today as they acquitted Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the murder case of his former manager, Ranjit Singh. This comes as a surprise after the CBI court had convicted Ram Rahim and four others in the same case back in 2021, sentencing them to life imprisonment. The murder of Ranjit Singh, a member of the Dera’s state-level committee, dates back to 2002 and was linked to his suspected involvement in circulating an anonymous letter detailing allegations of sexual exploitation by Ram Rahim at the Dera headquarters in Sirsa, Haryana.
This verdict overturns the previous ruling and has also resulted in the acquittal of the four others convicted alongside Ram Rahim. This controversy surrounding the Dera Sacha Sauda chief is not new, as he is already serving a 20-year jail term for the rape of two sadhvis and the murder of journalist Ram Chander Prajapati. The shocking allegations of sexual assault against Ram Rahim led to a CBI investigation, which ultimately resulted in his conviction. The Dera chief’s involvement in these heinous crimes sparked widespread violence in 2017, claiming the lives of thirty individuals and injuring over 250 people.
Ram Rahim’s legal team has expressed their satisfaction with the high court’s decision, emphasizing their trust in the judicial system. Despite his current incarceration for other crimes, this acquittal sheds new light on the complex legal journey of the controversial religious leader. The Dera Sacha Sauda chief’s tumultuous history continues to captivate public interest and raise questions about justice and accountability in the country.
