TWENTY YEARS RIGOROUS IMPRISONMENT AND FINE OF RS.30,20,000/- TO GURMEET RAM RAHIM SINGH IN SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CASE
The Special Judge, CBI Cases has today sentenced Shri Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, Head of Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa (Haryana) to undergo following sentences in a case related to sexual exploitation of two Sadhvis’ at Dera Sacha Sauda:-
Victim- A
For offence u/s 376 ofIPC
Rigorous Imprisonment for 10 years along with fine of Rs.15.00 lakh (Out of which Rs. 14.00 lakh is to be paid to Victim-A as compensation). In case of default in payment of fine, further RI of 2 years.
For offence u/s 506 ofIPC
Rigorous Imprisonment for 2 years along with fine of Rs. 10,000/-, In case of default in payment of fine, further RI of 3 months.
Victim- B
For offence u/s 376 ofIPC
Rigorous Imprisonment for 10 years along with fine of Rs.15.00 lakh (Out of which Rs. 14.00 lakh is to be paid to Victim-B as compensation). In case of default in payment of fine, further RI of 2 years.
For offence u/s 506 ofIPC
Rigorous Imprisonment for 2 years along with fine of Rs. 10,000/-, In case of default in payment of fine, further RI of 3 months.
Both these sentences in respect of Victim-A and Victim-B to run consecutively i.e. the sentence with reference to Victim-B will start after the sentence with reference to Victim-A has been completed. Thus, the total sentence will run for 20 years Rigorous Imprisonment and total fine will be of Rs. 30,20,000/-.
CBI had registered a case on 12.12.2002 u/s 376, 506 & 509 of IPC on the orders dated 24.9.2002 of the Hon’ble High Court of Punjab & Haryana at Chandigarh passed in Crl. Misc. No. 26994-M of 2002 – Court on its Own Motion Vs. State directing CBI to investigate the alleged sexual exploitation of Sadhvis at Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa by Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the Head of Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa.
After thorough investigation, CBI filed a charge sheet against accused Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh u/s 376 & 506 of IPC on 30.07.2007. Charges were framed against the accused on 6.9.2008. During trial, the prosecution examined 15 witnesses. The accused was also examined. Thereafter, one witness was examined as a Court Witness on the orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. The Defence examined 37 witnesses. The final arguments were concluded on 17.08.2017.
The Special Judge for CBI Cases, Panchkula(Haryana) found the accused guilty U/s 376 & 506 of IPC on 25.08.2017.
Rape Victim Speaks For First Time After Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s Punishment
One of the Rape Victim spoke to english daily “The Hindu” after conviction of Gurmeet Ram Rahim and said,”I was never afraid of him. When I narrated my ordeal way back in court, Gurmeet was present. I wasn’t afraid of him then, I am not afraid now”.
The lady who once was a Sadhvi at Dera is now married and have kids. She has also been provided with police security and is grateful to her father for constant support.
CBI recorded the versions of the two different rape victims who were brave enough to come forward and speak against this self-proclaimed God men and the absolute similarity in their versions together with consistency contributed positively in bringing the case to a conclusive end.
