Punjab & Haryana HC Acquits Ram Rahim in 2002 Journalist Murder

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Saturday acquitted Gurmeet Ram Rahim, chief of Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS), in the 2002 murder case of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati.

Chhatrapati was shot at point-blank range outside his residence on October 24, 2002. The incident took place months after his newspaper published an anonymous letter that alleged women living in the dera as sadhvis were sexually harassed and raped by the dera chief.

In January 2019, a special court of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Panchkula had convicted Ram Rahim and three others in the case. The court sentenced them to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹50,000 each.

Following the conviction, Ram Rahim and the other accused challenged the verdict in the high court in 2019, claiming they had been falsely implicated in the case.

After hearing the appeals, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has now set aside the earlier verdict and acquitted Ram Rahim in the murder case.

Despite this acquittal, Ram Rahim continues to serve a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted in 2017 in two rape cases. He is currently lodged in Sunaria Jail.

Earlier, in May 2024, the high court had also acquitted him in the 2002 murder case of former dera manager Ranjit Singh.

Ram Rahim is also named in several FIRs related to the 2015 sacrilege incidents in Punjab, which are still under investigation by authorities.

March 7, 2026 1:03 p.m.

Daniel Berger Leads Arnold Palmer Invitational by Five

Daniel Berger fired a 4-under 68 to take a five-shot lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational as tough Bay Hill conditions challenged the field

March 7, 2026 12:58 p.m.

US to Deploy Merops Anti-Drone System Against Iranian Threat

The U.S plans to deploy the Merops anti-drone system in the Middle East to counter Iranian drones strengthening defenses after lessons learned from Ukraine war

March 7, 2026 12:52 p.m.

US Allows India to Buy Russian Oil for 30 Days Amid War

The US has allowed India to continue buying Russian oil for 30 days as the Iran war disrupts global energy supply and pushes oil prices higher

March 7, 2026 12:20 p.m.

Indian Model Bhavitha Mandava Becomes Chanel Ambassador

Indian model Bhavitha Mandava makes history as the first Indian house ambassador of Chanel, marking a major milestone for Indian representation in global luxury

March 7, 2026 12:16 p.m.

Drones Shot Down Over Erbil as Coalition Foils Air Attack

Coalition forces intercepted four drones over Erbil in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region. Two more drones were also shot down near a vital facility in Basra

March 7, 2026 11:42 a.m.

UAE President Visits Victims of Iranian Attacks in Hospital

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed visited victims injured in recent Iranian attacks, praised medical teams, and assured residents that their safety remains

March 7, 2026 11:27 a.m.

Saks Global to Close 15 More Stores After Bankruptcy

Saks Global plans to shut 15 more stores after filing for bankruptcy earlier this year, aiming to cut losses and focus on profitable luxury locations

March 7, 2026 11:11 a.m.

Pentagon Names Gavin Kliger as Chief Data Officer

The Pentagon appoints Gavin Kliger as Chief Data Officer to lead AI projects. His past social media activity and the Pentagon’s AI dispute with Anthropic spark

March 7, 2026 10:36 a.m.

Punjab & Haryana HC Acquits Ram Rahim in 2002 Journalist Murder

Punjab and Haryana High Court acquits Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in the 2002 murder case of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati

Punjab & Haryana HC Acquits Ram Rahim in 2002 Journalist Murder

More Trending News

Featured Stories

Sponsored

Trending News