In a significant development, the Supreme Court has lifted the stay on the trial of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the controversial leader of Dera Sacha Sauda, in connection with the 2015 Bargari sacrilege cases. This decision removes the judicial block previously imposed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, paving the way for the continuation of legal proceedings against Ram Rahim.
The bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan issued a notice to Ram Rahim, granting him four weeks to respond. The directive revives the prosecution efforts in three separate cases related to the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikh religion. This series of events had sparked significant unrest and widespread protests across Punjab, particularly in the Bargari area of Faridkot district, where the incidents took place.
Ram Rahim is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for two counts of rape and has also been convicted in a murder case. The allegations of his involvement in the sacrilege incidents have added to the severe charges he faces, with accusations that his followers were directly involved in these acts.
The High Court had previously halted all proceedings against him in March earlier this year, citing procedural issues which the Punjab government challenged, leading to the Supreme Court’s intervention.
The Bargari sacrilege cases have been a focal point of public and religious outrage, as the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib is considered a grave offense in Sikhism. These incidents led to mass protests and were a significant moment of community unrest due to the deep reverence the Sikh community holds for their holy scripture.
