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Order in Ranjit Singh murder case on Aug 26
A special court of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will pronounce order in Ranjit Singh murder case on August 26
A special court of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will pronounce order in Ranjit Singh murder case on August 26. The court has issued notice to jail superintendents to present Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim and another accused Krishan Lal via video conferencing on the next date of hearing.
Ranjit Singh, a former follower of Ram Rahim, was shot dead by four assailants on July 10, 2002 at his native Khanpur Kolian village in Kurukshetra after he “raised his voice” against the Dera head.
Four years ago, on August 25, 2017, Ram Rahim was convicted of rape by a special CBI court and on August 27, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Following the verdict, Panchkula witnessed the biggest riots of the state that left 36 dead and 423 injured as mobs of followers of Ram Rahim went on a rampage after the CBI special court found him guilty of raping two women disciples.
Police record shows that 29 buildings, government and private, were damaged. The dera followers burnt 74 vehicles including two fire tenders, three outstation broadcasting (OB) vans of news channels, one school bus and damaged 57 vehicles, including one ambulance.
The Panchkula police also seized five pistols/revolvers, four rifles including an AK 47, two guns, one Mauser, and 58 vehicles.
In January 2019, Ram Rahim and three others were convicted of murder and criminal conspiracy of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati and sentenced to life imprisonment.
With Ram Rahim already being convicted in two cases and serving life imprisonment in Sunaria jail, thousands of people are now eyeing the third judgment.
Earlier the date of order was fixed for August 23, however, special public prosecutor HPS Verma filed an application seeking two weeks time for filling rebuttal as he requires assistance of the investigating officer, who has retired.
Judge Dr Sushil Kumar Garg denied two weeks time but granted five days till August 23 and order on August 24. He also directed that both accused be present in person.
However, district attorney requested that even at the time of pronouncement of verdict against the Dera chief on January 11, 2019, Sunaria jail superintendent was directed to produce Ram Rahim through VC.
“So, in the present case too, it is requested that presence of the accused be allowed through VC on account of law and order situation at the time of pronouncement of the order,” he requested.
The attorney informed the court that Vidhan Sabha session is also scheduled from August 20 to August 25 and that law and machinery will remain busy during this period.
He said as the case is highly sensitive, it is requested that the date fixed be adjourned to any other date after August 25. Following which, the date was adjourned to August 26, and the superintendent of district jail, Sunaria (Rohtak), and central jail, Ambala, were directed to ensure presence of accused Ram Rahim and Krishan Lal through VC.
The public prosecutors can address their arguments in rebuttal on August 23.
