Punjab-Haryana HC acquits godman Ram Rahim in journalist murder case
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Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court acquitted self-styled godman and Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on Saturday in the 2002 murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati, overturning his 2019 life sentence. He remains jailed on a 20-year rape term and separate life imprisonment for raping two disciples.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Vikram Aggarwal dismissed Ram Rahim's appeal but upheld convictions against co-accused Krishan Lal, Kuldeep Singh, and Nirmal Singh.
Chhatrapati, editor of Sirsa newspaper Poora Sach, was shot at his home on October 24, 2002, by Dera aides Kuldeep and Nirmal; he died November 21. CBI probed after his son's plea, charging Ram Rahim with conspiracy. A Panchkula CBI court convicted all four in 2019.
(Inputs from IANS)