'Benefit Of Doubt': High Court Acquits Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh In Journalist's Murder Case
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Saturday, March 7, acquitted Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the 2002 murder case of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati.
The High Court has set aside the life sentence imposed by a trial court against Ram Rahim Singh in connection with the case. A special court of the Central Bureau of Investigation had found Ram Rahim guilty of involvement in the killing of the journalist and sentenced him to life imprisonment in 2019.
Read Also: Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s Endless Furloughs, Just In Time For Elections, Raise Serious Questions
The journalist, Chhatrapati, who edited a local newspaper in Sirsa, had published a letter that contained serious allegations about activities inside the Dera Sacha Sauda organization, leading to the fatal shooting and death of the editor inside his residence in October 2002.
However, an appeal was filed by the accused in the High Court challenging the trial court verdict. The High Court has now granted Ram Rahim the benefit of the doubt, concluding that the evidence on record was insufficient to sustain the conviction of the accused in the case.
Read Also: Dera Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Gets Another 40-Day Parole: 15th Relief Since Conviction
The court, however, upheld the life sentences awarded to fellow accused, Kuldeep, Nirmal, and Krishan Lal for their role in the crime, granting relief only to the Dera Sacha Sauda Chief. The case has attracted widespread public attention, and the judgement marks a significant development in the high-profile case.
