High Court Acquits Dera Chief in 2002 Journalist Murder Case

The High Court has acquitted Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the 2002 murder case of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati. This is a major change from the previous life sentence.
By Newsroom | Law, India |

A High Court has declared Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the head of Dera Sacha Sauda, innocent in the 2002 murder case of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati. This decision comes more than seven years after he was handed a life sentence by a special CBI court. The verdict, announced today, pivots on a critical re-evaluation of ballistic evidence.

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim acquitted in journalist murder case - 1

The court's acquittal appears to stem from a re-examination of the forensic evidence. A key point of contention involved the handling of a bullet recovered in the case. The defence argued that the bullet remained sealed in its original container until it was presented in court, raising doubts about how forensic experts could have accessed or marked it prior to that. This contrasts with the prosecution's assertion that an FSL expert’s testimony confirmed examination of the bullet, including the presence of signatures. A detailed judgment explaining the court’s full reasoning has not yet been released.

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Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim acquitted in journalist murder case - 2

This acquittal is the latest in a series of temporary releases Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has experienced. He was granted a 40-day parole last month, following a similar 40-day parole in August of the previous year. Prior to that, he had also been released on a 21-day furlough in April and a 30-day parole in January. During these periods outside of jail, he has often stayed at the Dera's ashram in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat district.

The journalist’s son, Anshul Chhatrapati, has stated his intention to challenge the High Court's verdict in the Supreme Court. He expressed expectations that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the agency that initially secured the conviction, would also appeal the decision.

The Dera Sacha Sauda, headquartered in Sirsa, commands a significant following across states including Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan. Ram Rahim Singh has previously been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati, who had allegedly been investigating controversial matters related to the Dera.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why was Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh acquitted in the 2002 journalist murder case?
The High Court acquitted him based on a re-evaluation of ballistic evidence, questioning how a key bullet was handled before court. The defense argued the evidence might have been tampered with.
Q: What was the original sentence for Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in this case?
A special CBI court had previously sentenced Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh to life imprisonment for the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati.
Q: Will the journalist's family challenge the High Court's decision?
Yes, the journalist's son, Anshul Chhatrapati, plans to appeal the High Court's verdict in the Supreme Court and expects the CBI to do the same.
Q: Has Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh been released from jail recently?
Yes, he has been granted several paroles and furloughs in the past year, spending time outside jail, including at the Dera's ashram in Baghpat.
Q: Who was Ram Chander Chhatrapati?
Ram Chander Chhatrapati was a journalist who was allegedly investigating controversial matters related to the Dera Sacha Sauda when he was murdered in 2002.