Amidst controversy and protests, Haryana court has granted 30-day parole to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the head of Dera Sacha Sauda who is serving a 20-year sentence for rape. This is the 12th time he has received parole since 2017. Despite his requests for followers to not visit him, his release has sparked anger and unrest in the states of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and others. Interestingly, this parole comes just a few years after his acquittal in the 2002 murder of a journalist, and serves as a reminder of the controversies surrounding the self-proclaimed godman.
After 25 years of being wrongfully imprisoned in Louisiana, a 62-year-old African American man was finally released on Tuesday. Wilbert Jones was sentenced to life in prison without parole in 1973 for kidnapping and aggravated rape. However, new evidence surfaced that showed Jones' innocence, leading to his release. The case has raised questions about the justice system and the impact of wrongful convictions on individuals and their families.
As Delhi counts down to its assembly polls, controversial figure and Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been granted parole for a month. This is the first time he will be staying at his dera's headquarters in Sirsa, rather than at their ashram in Uttar Pradesh. This move has raised eyebrows as it has often coincided with elections in Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan, where the Dera's followers are said to have a significant presence.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has denied the appeal of a doctor accused in the castration case of Dera Sacha Sauda followers, upholding the two crucial bail conditions imposed on him. These conditions require the doctor to surrender his passport and seek prior approval before travelling abroad. The case involves allegations of illegal castration surgeries on Dera Sacha Sauda followers for financial gain, with the doctor facing charges alongside Dr M P Singh and Dera leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim. The court, while rejecting the doctor's petition, stated that the gravity of the charges warranted the continuation of the bail conditions.
The Supreme Court has issued notices to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and four others in the 2002 murder case of former manager Ranjit Singh, challenging their acquittal by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The CBI had appealed the acquittal, citing flaws in the investigation and doubts over the motive. Ram Rahim, who is currently serving a life sentence for rape and murder, has drawn public attention for frequently securing paroles. The case will be heard by a bench presided over by Justice Bela M Trivedi, who is also handling a related petition filed by the victim's father.
The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenging the acquittal of self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the Ranjit Singh murder case. The notice has been directed to be tagged with another pending petition filed by the family of the deceased. This decision comes after a previous plea filed by the complainant was accepted for examination by the court, raising questions about the credibility of the Godman and seeking responses from all involved parties. The case, which has been ongoing since 2002, resurfaced in 2021 when Ram Rahim and others were convicted of the murder. Despite this, the godman remained in prison due to other convictions on charges of rape and murder.
The Supreme Court has agreed to examine the Central Bureau of Investigation's appeal against the acquittal of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and four others in the murder case of former sect manager Ranjit Singh. The case, which has seen multiple twists and turns, has been referred to Justice Bela M. Trivedi's bench, which is already hearing a related petition filed by the victim's father. The CBI has argued that Ram Rahim orchestrated the murder after suspecting Singh of leaking an anonymous letter accusing him of sexual misconduct. The case has attracted widespread public attention due to Ram Rahim's involvement and frequent paroles from prison.
In a case concerning the castration of his followers, Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim has sought certain documents and statements of witnesses for his defence. The Punjab & Haryana High Court has asked the CBI court to reassess the relevance of these documents in a decision that failed the "test of legality". The court stated that the accused cannot engage in a "roving and fishing inquiry" and that the CBI court must consider the purpose and context of the documents before allowing their production.
In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court has cleared the way for the trial of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, leader of Dera Sacha Sauda, in connection with the 2015 sacrilege incidents. This decision comes after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann granted permission for his prosecution, following the High Court’s order to expedite the case. With Ram Rahim currently serving a 20-year sentence for rape and murder convictions, the court's notice to him highlights the significance of this high-profile case.
On October 19, 2024, the Punjab government requested a response from Ram Rahim within four weeks. This order came from the bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan after an appeal was made. The court noted that the matter required scrutiny and issued a notice to the Dera Sacha Sauda chief, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for rape.