SC issues notice to Gurmeet Ram Rahim on CBI plea challenging Punjab HC order in murder case

The Supreme Court has issued a notice to self-styled godman Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and four others on a CBI plea. The plea has challenged the judgement of the Punjab and Haryana High Court acquitting them in the 2002 murder of the sect’s former manager, Ranjit Singh.

The development comes after the Punjab and Haryana High Court acquitted the self-styled godman in May 2024. The Dera Sacha Sauda Chief and four others are accused in the 2002 Ranjit Singh murder case. Ranjit Singh was Dera's former manager who was killed on July 10, 2002.

Who is Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh?

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is a leader of the sect Dera Sacha Sauda. He is serving a 20-year sentence for rape and was also convicted of murder. More than his followers and criminal cases, Gurmeet Ram Rahim remains in the news because he frequently approves his parole requests. 

The leader, who enjoys significant influence in Haryana, was also released from jail on parole ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections on October 5. He also has a significant influence in Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal, and Uttar Pradesh.

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been released from jail on parole more than fifteen times in the last four years.

Who was Ranjit Singh?

Ranjit Singh, a resident of Village Khanpur Kolian, was a Dera Sacha Sauda manager and a sect follower. He was shot dead in July 2002 at Khanpur Kolian village in Haryana's Kurukshetra.

Over a year later, on November 10, 2003, the high court ordered a CBI investigation into his murder case.

After an extensive probe into the Ranjit Singh murder case, the CBI court in October 2021 held Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, Krishan Lal, Sabdil Singh, Jasbir Singh and Avtar Singh guilty of the murder of Ranjit Singh.