High Court Overturns Life Sentence for Dera Chief in 2002 Murder Case
In a significant legal development, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Saturday acquitted Gurmeet Ram Rahim, the controversial head of the Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda, in the 2002 murder case of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati. This decision marks a major setback for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which had secured a life imprisonment conviction for the preacher in 2019.
Court Proceedings and Acquittal Details
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Vikram Aggarwal delivered the verdict, allowing the dera chief's appeal against the CBI court's order. The bench, however, upheld the convictions of three other accused individuals: Krishan Lal, Kuldeep Singh, and Nirmal Singh. The order was pronounced in an open court, though the detailed judgment copy was not available at the time of reporting.
Anshul Chhatrapati, the son of the slain journalist, expressed disappointment and announced that the family plans to challenge the acquittal in the Supreme Court. He emphasized their commitment to seeking justice for his father, who was the editor of a local Hindi daily.
Background of the Case and Legal Arguments
On January 17, 2019, a special CBI court in Panchkula had sentenced Gurmeet Ram Rahim and the three others to life imprisonment, imposing a fine of Rs 50,000 each. The dera chief challenged this conviction, arguing that he was falsely implicated by the CBI. His counsel contended that the first chargesheet filed in 2002 did not name him, and the inclusion of his name was allegedly retaliatory, with claims of torture and fabricated evidence.
Key points from the defense included:
- The appellant was not named in the initial police chargesheet from 2002.
- Allegations that Krishan Lal was tortured by CBI officials to implicate the dera chief.
- Criticism of the eyewitness account by Khatta Singh, which was described as inconsistent and falsified during cross-examination.
- Arguments that the prosecution failed to prove the dera chief had read the newspaper published by Chhatrapati, undermining the motive claim.
The CBI and the counsel for the journalist's family strongly opposed the appeal, but after hearings concluded in September last year, the high court reserved its verdict.
Current Legal Status and Other Cases
Gurmeet Ram Rahim has been incarcerated in Rohtak's Sunaria jail since August 2017, following a 20-year sentence for raping two followers. With this acquittal, he has now been cleared in two murder cases, including that of former Dera manager Ranjeet Singh. He remains convicted and jailed for the rape cases, having served over eight years. Additionally, he faces another CBI case regarding the castration of dera followers, with the trial still pending in Panchkula court.
Timeline of Key Events
- October 24, 2002: Ram Chander Chhatrapati was shot and later succumbed to injuries in November at a Delhi hospital.
- January 2003: His son petitioned the Punjab and Haryana High Court for a CBI probe, which was ordered in November that year.
- December 9, 2003: CBI registered an FIR, but the Supreme Court stayed the probe on the dera's plea.
- November 2004: Supreme Court vacated the stay, allowing the CBI to continue investigations.
- July 2007: CBI filed a charge-sheet against the dera chief and three others.
- December 2008: CBI court framed murder charges, with the trial continuing until December 2018.
- January 17, 2019: CBI court sentenced the accused to life imprisonment.
- March 7, 2026: High Court acquitted the dera chief of murder charges.
This ruling adds a new chapter to the long-standing legal battles surrounding Gurmeet Ram Rahim, highlighting ongoing controversies in India's judicial and investigative processes.
