Ram Rahim Singh Exonerated in Journalist Murder Case
Synopsis
In a surprising turn of events, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been acquitted by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in the murder case of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati, although he remains imprisoned for other serious offenses. Discover the implications of this verdict.
Key Takeaways
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh acquitted in journalist murder case.
Still serving prison time for sexual assault.
Initial conviction was overturned after seven years.
The court's decision raises questions on judicial processes.
Continues to influence public discourse on justice.
Chandigarh, March 7 (NationPress) The Punjab and Haryana High Court has cleared self-proclaimed godman and Dera Sacha Sauda leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the 2002 murder case of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati.
Despite his acquittal, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for the sexual assault of two female followers, as well as a life sentence for the murder of journalist Chhatrapati.
This ruling arrives seven years after a special CBI court found him guilty and sentenced him to life in prison. Nevertheless, he will continue to remain incarcerated due to his conviction in the rape case.
The verdict was announced by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Vikram Aggarwal, who were addressing appeals against the 2019 conviction.
However, the court rejected appeals from two other accused individuals.
The acquittal of the self-styled godman occurred shortly after the Bench examined the evidence, which was mired in controversy regarding the bullets reportedly used in the murder.
A special CBI court in Panchkula, Haryana, had convicted Rahim Singh in 2019 for the murder of Chhatrapati, who was based in Sirsa. Alongside him, three of his close associates—Krishan Lal, Kuldeep Singh, and Nirmal Singh—were also found guilty.
Chhatrapati was shot on October 24, 2002, and succumbed to his injuries on November 21, 2002. The CBI took over the investigation on November 10, 2003, following a High Court directive, after the case was initially filed at the local police station in Sirsa.
The allegation stated that journalist Chhatrapati, who edited a newspaper titled ‘Poora Sach’, was shot at his residence by Kuldeep Singh and Nirmal Singh, both associated with Dera Sacha Sauda.
Following the incident, state police apprehended Kuldeep Singh and Nirmal Singh, recovering a walkie-talkie linked to the Dera and a revolver belonging to Krishan Lal.
A chargesheet against Kuldeep Singh, Nirmal Singh, and Krishan Lal was submitted by the police in the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Sirsa on December 5, 2002.
Subsequently, the victim's son approached the High Court, alleging the self-styled godman's involvement in his father's murder and requested that the investigation be handed over to the CBI.
After a comprehensive investigation, the CBI established the involvement of Rahim Singh and the other accused—Kuldeep Singh, Nirmal Singh, and Krishan Lal—and filed a chargesheet against them.
In January 2019, the special CBI court determined that Ram Rahim and his co-defendants were guilty of conspiracy to murder the journalist and sentenced them to life imprisonment.
Point of View
The acquittal of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh raises significant questions about the judicial process and the evidence presented in high-profile cases. While the court's decision reflects a legal outcome, it also highlights the complexities surrounding justice in cases involving influential figures.
NationPress
6 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh acquitted of?
He was acquitted of the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati.
Is Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh still in prison?
Yes, he is serving a 20-year sentence for rape and a life sentence for the murder of Chhatrapati.
What was the original sentence given to Ram Rahim Singh?
He was initially sentenced to life imprisonment by a special CBI court in 2019.
What led to the CBI taking over the investigation?
The investigation was transferred to the CBI on the orders of the High Court at the request of the victim's son.
What role did evidence play in the acquittal?
The court examined evidence that included controversy over bullets allegedly used in the crime.
