The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine a petition challenging the acquittal of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the 2002 murder case of a journalist.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana scheduled the matter for a final hearing during the week beginning November 16, stating that the petition merited consideration.
Petition Filed By Victim’s Family
The legal challenge was brought to the apex court by Aridaman, the son of the murdered journalist. The appeal seeks to overturn the ruling of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which had acquitted the sect leader.
Addressing the bench, defense counsel representing Ram Rahim highlighted that state authorities had not lodged an appeal challenging the high court’s verdict.
Court Acknowledges Absence Of State Appeal
In its observation, the Supreme Court noted that the proceedings stemmed from a high court judgment that reversed a prior conviction. The bench acknowledged the likelihood that state prosecutors might not independently contest the acquittal.
Incarceration And Previous Conviction
The 58-year-old Dera chief is currently lodged at Sunaria jail in Rohtak, where he is serving a 20-year prison term handed down in 2017 for the rape of
