In a significant ruling, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has acquitted Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the 2002 murder case of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati. While setting aside the conviction against Ram Rahim, the court upheld the life imprisonment awarded to three co-accused.
The judgment was delivered by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Vikram Aggarwal on 7 March 2026.
Background of the Case
The case relates to the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati, editor of the evening newspaper Pura Sach, who had published articles alleging sexual exploitation of women followers inside the Dera Sacha Sauda.
According to the prosecution, Chhatrapati was shot outside his residence in Sirsa, Haryana, on 24 October 2002. He sustained serious injuries and later died on 21 November 2002 at Apollo Hospital in Delhi.
Initially, the Haryana Police investigated the case. However, following petitions before the High Court raising doubts about the probe, the investigation was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2003.
After investigation and trial, a Special CBI Court in Panchkula convicted Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and three others in January 2019, sentencing them to life imprisonment.
The convicts subsequently challenged the verdict before the High Court.
Prosecution Allegations
The prosecution alleged that the killing was the result of a conspiracy to silence the journalist.
According to the case theory:
- Ram Rahim allegedly conspired to eliminate Chhatrapati.
- Kuldeep Singh and Nirmal Singh allegedly carried out the shooting.
- Krishan Lal was accused of assisting the conspiracy and supplying a revolver used in the attack.
The FIR was registered after the victim’s son informed the police that two assailants fired at his father outside their home.
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Court’s Observations
While examining the evidence, the High Court scrutinized the investigation, witness testimonies and the circumstances relied upon by the prosecution.
The Bench noted several gaps and inconsistencies in the evidence linking Ram Rahim directly to the alleged conspiracy. It also highlighted issues in the investigation and corroboration of certain statements.
The court observed that criminal cases must be decided strictly on evidence and legal standards.
“This Court is… of the firm conclusion that the guilt of A1 had not been proved.”
The Bench emphasized that the prosecution must establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt, and in the absence of reliable evidence against the Dera chief, the conviction could not be sustained.
High Court Decision
After evaluating the material on record, the High Court delivered a split outcome in the appeals.
The court held that the evidence against the three shooters and co-accused was sufficient to sustain their conviction. However, the prosecution failed to prove the conspiracy charge against Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
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Consequently, the Bench ruled:
- Appeals filed by Kuldeep Singh, Nirmal Singh, and Krishan Lal were dismissed, and their convictions and life sentences were upheld.
- The appeal filed by Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was allowed, his conviction and sentence were set aside, and he was acquitted of the charges.
Case Title: Baba Gurmeet Singh @ Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh v. Central Bureau of Investigation
Case No.: CRA-D-240-D-2019 (with connected appeals)
Decision Date: 7 March 2026
