WE NEED TO EXAMINE THE WITNESS’S TESTIMONY

WE NEED TO EXAMINE THE WITNESS’S TESTIMONY

11-AUG-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

DELHI--------------------------The Supreme Court will now review the decision to acquit Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the murder case of journalist Ramchander Chhatrapati. The apex court stated that a thorough examination of the case's circumstances and crucial aspects regarding witness testimonies is necessary. The court has listed the matter for a final hearing during the week commencing November 16.

During the hearing, Senior Advocate R. Basant remarked that interference in an appeal against an acquittal is typically reserved for extraordinary circumstances. In response, Justice Bagchi of the bench noted that this case involves a potential reversal of an acquittal, and the court must consider specific circumstances related to the witness's testimony.

Justice Surya Kant observed that the state government would not be filing an appeal in this matter; consequently, the court must examine other aspects of the case. The Supreme Court will now hear the appeal on its merits in detail in November.

Ramchander Chhatrapati’s family has challenged the Punjab and Haryana High Court's verdict in the Supreme Court. The High Court had acquitted Ram Rahim in the 2002 murder case, citing a lack of sufficient evidence, and overturned the life imprisonment sentence handed down by the trial court. However, the convictions of three other accused persons in the case were upheld.

Ramchander Chhatrapati had reported on alleged activities linked to Dera Sacha Sauda. In October 2002, he was shot by motorcycle-borne assailants outside his home. Critically injured, Chhatrapati passed away on November 21, 2002, while undergoing treatment.

Subsequently, in January 2019, a special CBI court in Panchkula had sentenced Gurmeet Ram Rahim and three other accused—Kuldeep Singh, Nirmal Singh, and Krishan Lal—to life imprisonment in the murder case. The Supreme Court will now hold the final hearing in November on the petition challenging the High Court's decision to acquit Ram Rahim.