Introduction:

In a significant development, the Punjab & Haryana High Court has acquitted the Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the Ranjit Singh murder case. This verdict comes after a CBI Court in 2021 sentenced him to life imprisonment along with four other accused for conspiring to murder Ranjit Singh, a former Dera manager, in 2002. The division bench of Justice Sureshwar Thakur and Justice Lalit Batra allowed Ram Rahim’s appeal against conviction under various sections of the IPC.

Arguments of Both Sides:

The CBI chargesheet alleged that Ram Rahim orchestrated Ranjit Singh’s murder due to suspicions that he was behind the circulation of an anonymous letter exposing sexual exploitation of female followers. The prosecution argued that Ram Rahim, along with co-accused, conspired to commit the murder in retaliation to the allegations made in the letter.

Ram Rahim’s defense contended that there was insufficient evidence to link him to the murder conspiracy. They argued that the prosecution failed to establish his direct involvement beyond reasonable doubt. Additionally, they highlighted procedural irregularities in the trial process.

Court’s Judgment:

The High Court acquitted Ram Rahim in the Ranjit Singh murder case, citing lack of conclusive evidence linking him to the conspiracy. The bench emphasized that the prosecution failed to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt. This verdict overturns the earlier conviction by the CBI Court, granting relief to Ram Rahim and the co-accused.