Rohtak: Special CBI court on Monday sentenced 20 years in jail to Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh who is convicted of rape charges.
Dera Chief Ram Rahim will spend 20 years behind bars; 10 years sentence for raping two Sadhvis to run consecutively, not concurrently
Defence argued Ram Rahim is a social worker who has worked for welfare of people, so judge should take a lenient view
“Rape went on continuously for 3 years, no relief should be given,” CBI lawyer said.
The self-styled godman was convicted of rape charges on Friday, following which his ‘bhakts’ went on a rampage in Panchkula and Sirsa, demanding justice for their leader.
In what was seen as a massive upheaval, an ocean of people resorted to vandalising public property – by destroying public transport, burning vehicles and even attacking the media.
ALSO READ: Inside the secret world of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh
Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) B.S. Sandhu revealed that 52 cases were registered and 926 people arrested so far. As for casualties, 38 people died in the violence; six casualties from Sirsa and 32 from Panchkula were reported. Also, over 250 people were injured.
CBI Official Statement
TWENTY YEARS RIGOROUS IMPRISONMENT AND FINE OF RS.30,20,000/- TO GURMEET RAM RAHIM SINGH IN SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CASE
The Special Judge, CBI Cases has today sentenced Shri Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, Head of Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa (Haryana) to undergofollowing sentences in a case related to sexual exploitation of two Sadhvis at Dera Sacha Sauda:-
Victim- A
For offence u/s 376 of IPC
Rigorous Imprisonment for 10 years along with fine of Rs.15.00 lakh (Out of which Rs. 14.00 lakh is to be paid to Victim-A as compensation). In case of default in payment of fine, further RI of 2 years.
For offence u/s 506 of IPC
Rigorous Imprisonment for 2 years along with fine of Rs. 10,000/-, In case of default in payment of fine, further RI of 3 months.
Victim- B
For offence u/s 376 of IPC
Rigorous Imprisonment for 10 years along with fine of Rs.15.00 lakh (Out of which Rs. 14.00 lakh is to be paid to Victim-B as compensation). In case of default in payment of fine, further RI of 2 years.
For offence u/s 506 of IPC
Rigorous Imprisonment for 2 years along with fine of Rs. 10,000/-, In case of default in payment of fine, further RI of 3 months.
Both these sentences in respect of Victim-A and Victim-B to run consecutively i.e. the sentence with reference to Victim-B will start after the sentence with reference to Victim-A has been completed. Thus, the total sentence will run for 20 years Rigorous Imprisonment and total fine will be of Rs. 30,20,000/-.
CBI had registered a case on 12.12.2002 u/s 376, 506 & 509 of IPC on the orders dated 24.9.2002 of the Hon’ble High Court of Punjab & Haryana at Chandigarh passed in Crl. Misc. No. 26994-M of 2002 – Court on its Own Motion Vs. State directing CBI to investigate the alleged sexual exploitation of Sadhvis at Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa by Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the Head of Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa.
After thorough investigation, CBI filed a charge sheet against accused Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh u/s 376 & 506 of IPC on 30.07.2007. Charges were framed against the accused on 6.9.2008. During trial, the prosecution examined 15 witnesses. The accused was also examined. Thereafter, one witness was examined as a Court Witness on the orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. The Defence examined 37 witnesses. The final arguments were concluded on 17.08.2017.
The Special Judge for CBI Cases, Panchkula(Haryana) found the accused guilty U/s 376 & 506 of IPC on 25.08.2017
