, ET Bureau|
Updated: Aug 28, 2017, 08.12 PM IST
CBI special court handed out 20 year imprisonment to self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the two rape cases. A special courtroom within the jail was created on the instructions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, citing security reasons. Sirsa Dera chief was sentenced to two 10-year prison terms that will run consecutively. Ram Rahim Singh’s lawyer are set to appeal in the higher court.
The “Pita Ji” as addressed by Dera's cult of some 50 lakh followers went on knees, while breaking down, seeking mercy from special CBI judge Jagdeep Singh inside the Rohtak jail on Monday. He refused to leave the court while pleading "Koi Mujhe bacha lo" (someone save me). Judge announced 10 years imprisonment and Rs 15 lakh fine each in two cases and Rs 14 lakh each to be paid to both victims. Continuing with his theatrics rape convict Ram Rahim subsequently complained of severe uneasiness. When checked, the chief medical officer on duty found him to be medically.
The conviction of Dera ‘guru’ on charges of raping two of his female followers had sparked widespread protests across Haryana, in which at least 38 people were killed and over 250 injured.
For last few days his followers have held two Northern states of India –Punjab and Haryana to ransom, by threatening, pressurizing and vandalizing. However, it didn’t deter the judge to pronounce 20 year imprisonment to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. A water tight case prepared by the CBI didn’t give the rapist Baba’s advocates to exploit any loophole. The CBI judge who was flown to Rohtak jail gave ten minutes each – to both sides to present their arguments. The CBI had sought life imprisonment, while the defence cited his age, health, and social work as mitigating factors.
After Singh was convicted in the rape case on August 25, the followers of the Dera resorted to violent protests across several parts of Haryana and Delhi. At least 38 people were killed in the violent clashes, mostly in Panchkula. The administration has issued a stern warning to Dera followers and is keeping a close vigil on Rohtak and surrounding areas.The conviction of flamboyant ‘guru’ on charges of raping two of his female followers had sparked widespread protests across Haryana, in which at least 38 people were killed and over 250 injured.
Anshul Chhatrapati, son of the slain journalist who blew the lid on Dera Sacha Sauda chief, said that the CBI court's verdict was satisfactory. "We have been saying since long that Ram Rahim Singh is an enemy of our society."
The CBI filed the charge sheet against the Dera head in a Ambala court in July 2007 about five years after the registration of the rape case. The charge sheet mentions sexual exploitation of two ‘sadhvis’ (women followers) between 1999 and 2001. The special CBI court framed charges against him under sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC in September 2008.
Between 2009 and 2010, the two complainants recorded their statements before the court. The special CBI court shifted from Ambala to Panchkula and the case against the Dera chief was also transferred to Panchkula CBI Court.
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