Ram Rahim Acquitted in Journalist Chhatrapati Murder Case by High Court

In a significant development in a long-standing legal battle, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Saturday, March 7, 2026, acquitted Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the 2002 murder case of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati. The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Vikram Aggarwal, overturned the 2019 verdict of a special CBI court that had convicted Ram Rahim and sentenced him to life imprisonment. Ram Chander Chhatrapati, who was the editor of the Sirsa-based evening newspaper 'Poora Sach' (The Whole Truth), was shot outside his residence in October 2002. He later succumbed to his injuries on November 21, 2002. The attack on Chhatrapati came after his publication carried an anonymous letter detailing allegations of sexual exploitation of women followers at the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa. The journalist's fearless reporting against the Dera chief is widely believed to be the motive behind his murder. The case, initially investigated by local police, was later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2003, following a petition by Chhatrapati's son, Anshul Chhatrapati, to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The CBI filed a chargesheet in July 2007, naming Ram Rahim as the main conspirator. After years of trial, a special CBI court in Panchkula convicted Ram Rahim and three others – Kuldeep Singh, Nirmal Singh, and Krishan Lal – on January 11, 2019, sentencing them to life imprisonment on January 17, 2019, under Sections 302 (murder) and 120 B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Aggrieved by this decision, Ram Rahim had challenged his conviction before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. His legal counsel argued that the Dera chief had been falsely implicated by the CBI, claiming that the initial charge sheet against the other accused did not name him, and that the prosecution failed to prove his motive or his awareness of Chhatrapati's newspaper reports. The High Court, in its recent judgment, allowed Ram Rahim's appeal, setting aside his conviction. However, the High Court upheld the conviction and life sentences of the other three accused: Kuldeep Singh, Nirmal Singh, and Krishan Lal. The detailed copy of the judgment, which will explain the grounds for overturning Ram Rahim's conviction, is still awaited. Despite this acquittal, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh will continue to remain incarcerated. He is currently serving a 20-year jail sentence after being convicted in August 2017 for raping two of his female disciples. His conviction in the rape cases had led to widespread violence and clashes by his followers in parts of Haryana and Punjab, resulting in numerous casualties. Furthermore, the Dera chief was also recently acquitted by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in May 2024, along with four others, in the 2002 murder case of Dera manager Ranjit Singh. The family of the slain journalist expressed their dismay at the High Court's verdict. Ram Chander Chhatrapati's son, Anshul Chhatrapati, termed the acquittal a "major setback" and reiterated his family's commitment to pursuing justice. He stated that they would challenge the High Court's decision in the Supreme Court, exploring all available legal remedies. This high-profile case has been closely watched across India, reflecting the complex interplay of religious cults, media freedom, and the justice system. The acquittal of Ram Rahim in the journalist's murder case, while he remains imprisoned for other serious crimes, adds another layer to the controversial history of the Dera Sacha Sauda chief.

Frequently Asked Questions

Read Full Story on Quick Digest