Breaking News: Punjab-Haryana High Court acquitted Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in the 2002 journalist Ramchandra Chhatrapati murder case due to lack of evidence. Questions were raised on the CBI investigation, while the life imprisonment of the remaining three convicts was upheld.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim acquitted: Famous Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has got a big relief in the famous journalist murder case of 2002. Punjab and Haryana High Court has acquitted him in the journalist Ramchandra Chhatrapati murder case due to lack of evidence. However, the life imprisonment of the remaining three convicts in this case has been retained. After this decision of the High Court, this case has once again come into discussion and many questions have started being raised.
What was journalist Ramchandra Chhatrapati murder case?
This matter is of the year 2002. Sirsa journalist Ramchandra Chhatrapati used to run the local newspaper “Pura Sach”. He is said to have published an anonymous letter in his newspaper, alleging alleged sexual exploitation of female nuns within Dera Sacha Sauda. Chhatrapati was shot outside his home in October 2002, shortly after this news was published. He later died during treatment. This incident had created a sensation in the entire country.
Why did the High Court acquit Ram Rahim?
The High Court said in its decision that there were many major shortcomings in the investigation by the investigating agency Central Bureau of Investigation i.e. CBI. According to the court:
- Strong and reliable evidence was not presented in the case.
- Many technical flaws were found in the investigation process.
- The prosecution could not prove a clear motive behind the murder.
- On the basis of these reasons, the court acquitted Ram Rahim, giving him the benefit of doubt.
Why did the punishment of the remaining three convicts remain intact?
While Ram Rahim got relief, the sentence of three other accused in this case has been upheld. The court held that there was sufficient evidence against him, so his life sentence would continue. It became clear from this decision that the court examined the role of each accused on different grounds.
Why were questions raised when Ram Rahim got parole again and again?
After being convicted in the case of rape of two nuns in 2017, Ram Rahim is serving his sentence in Sunaria Jail located in Rohtak, Haryana. But since then he has been granted parole and furlough several times. According to reports, he has been out of jail more than 14 times since 2017. Sikh organizations and groups like Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee have raised questions regarding these paroles. They say that repeated releases can affect the justice process and political impartiality.
Will this decision start a new debate again?
Ram Rahim’s Dera Sachcha Sauda is a large religious organization with millions of followers in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and many states. Especially in areas like Sirsa, Hisar, Fatehabad and Kurukshetra of Haryana, the number of his supporters is very high. In such a situation, after this decision of the High Court, the legal, social and political debate is likely to intensify once again.