Supreme Court Issues Notice to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in CBI’s Plea Against Acquittal in 2002 Murder Case

Supreme Court Issues Notice to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in CBI’s Plea Against Acquittal in 2002 Murder Case

Overview of the Case

The Supreme Court of India has issued a notice to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the self-styled godman and Dera Sacha Sauda chief, along with four other individuals, in connection with the 2002 murder of Ranjit Singh, the sect's former manager. This notice comes in response to a plea filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenging their acquittal by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The High Court’s judgment had overturned the trial court’s conviction of the accused, leading the CBI to appeal the acquittal.

Supreme Court Proceedings

On January 5, 2025, a bench led by Chief Justice Sanjeev Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar sought responses from the accused, including Gurmeet Ram Rahim, and tagged the matter with another pending appeal filed by the complainant, the father of the deceased, Ranjit Singh.

• The case is scheduled to be heard before a bench presided over by Justice Bela Trivedi, who has already issued a notice in the complainant's appeal.

Timeline of the Case

July 10, 2002:

• Ranjit Singh, the former manager of Dera Sacha Sauda, was shot dead in his fields in Kurukshetra district, Haryana.

November 10, 2003:

• The Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered a CBI investigation into the murder after the initial case registered at Police Station Sadar, Thanesar, Kurukshetra failed to progress.

October 18, 2021:

• A trial court convicted Ram Rahim and four others—Avtar Singh, Krishan Lal, Jasbir Singh, and Sabdil Singh—and sentenced them to life imprisonment. Another accused, Inder Sain, had passed away during the trial in 2020.

High Court’s Acquittal:

• The High Court overturned the trial court’s decision, citing the CBI’s failure to establish a motive and stating that the prosecution’s case was “shrouded in doubts.”

CBI’s Allegations

The CBI alleged that:

• Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh suspected Ranjit Singh of circulating an anonymous letter among Dera followers.
• The letter accused Ram Rahim of sexually exploiting female disciples at the Dera.
• This letter was instrumental in a 2002 rape case being registered against Ram Rahim, which eventually led to his conviction.

Current Status of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh

• Ram Rahim is currently serving a 20-year jail term in Sunaria Jail, Rohtak, Haryana, for the rape of two of his disciples.

Legal Implications and Next Steps

• The CBI’s appeal raises critical questions about the credibility of evidence and the fairness of judicial processes.
• The Supreme Court’s decision could set a precedent for cases involving high-profile accused and challenges to acquittals.

Public and Media Attention

The case has drawn widespread attention, not only because of Ram Rahim’s controversial past but also due to its implications for faith, justice, and accountability.

Concluding Thoughts

As the case heads back to the Supreme Court for detailed hearings, it highlights the delicate balance between ensuring justice and upholding legal fairness. The outcome will likely have a far-reaching impact on both the accused and the legal landscape surrounding similar high-profile cases.