The CBI special court, Haryana, on Saturday turned down a bail plea of a co-accused in the Chattrapati murder case. He had moved the plea on the ground that alleged key conspirator, Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, in the case was out on bail.
Sirsa-based journalist Ram Chander Chattrapati was murdered on October 24, 2002, for allegedly writing about illegal activities going inside Dera Sacha Sauda. Along with Ram Rahim and Nirmal Singh, Krishan Lal and Kuldeep Singh are accused in the case. Both Nirmal and Kuldeep used to work as carpenters at the Sirsa-based dera, while Krishan was a manager.
Nirmal contended that he had been in jail for about 11 years, while the main accused, Ram Rahim, was granted bail. He added that he was innocent and recovery of a pistol on October 26, 2002, from which the murder was committed, was doubtful as there was no independent witness.
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) counsel HPS Verma submitted, "As per a Supreme Court judgment, the long custody is no ground for securing bail. Nirmal Singh was actively involved in the crime. The witnesses had identified him at the spot. On October 26, 2002, advocate Lekh Raj was the independent witness during the recovery of murder weapon from Nirmal Singh." After hearing the arguments, the court dismissed the bail application of Nirmal Singh.
As per the CBI, Ram Rahim had instructed both Nirmal and Kuldeep to murder Chhatrapati. Krishan then allegedly provided them a scooter and gave his revolver. He provided them with a walki-talkie set as well. In a pull-out of the dera, 'Sach Kahoon', pictures of Nirmal and Kuldeep were published along with Ram Rahim's.
{{/usCountry}}As per the CBI, Ram Rahim had instructed both Nirmal and Kuldeep to murder Chhatrapati. Krishan then allegedly provided them a scooter and gave his revolver. He provided them with a walki-talkie set as well. In a pull-out of the dera, 'Sach Kahoon', pictures of Nirmal and Kuldeep were published along with Ram Rahim's.
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