The Supreme Court has agreed to examine the Central Bureau of Investigation's appeal against the acquittal of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and four others in the murder case of former sect manager Ranjit Singh. The case, which has seen multiple twists and turns, has been referred to Justice Bela M. Trivedi's bench, which is already hearing a related petition filed by the victim's father. The CBI has argued that Ram Rahim orchestrated the murder after suspecting Singh of leaking an anonymous letter accusing him of sexual misconduct. The case has attracted widespread public attention due to Ram Rahim's involvement and frequent paroles from prison.
Dera Sacha Sauda Chief's Acquittal in Murder Case: Supreme Court to Examine CBI Appeal
Background
Dera Sacha Sauda is a religious sect in India, led by Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. The sect has been embroiled in numerous controversies, including allegations of sexual misconduct, violence, and financial fraud.
In 2002, Ranjit Singh, a former sect manager, was murdered. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) charged Ram Rahim and four others with conspiracy and murder. However, in 2017, a special CBI court acquitted all the accused.
The CBI appealed the acquittal, arguing that the trial court had erred in its decision. The Supreme Court has now agreed to examine the CBI's appeal.
Google Trends
Recent Google Trends data shows a surge in searches for "Dera Sacha Sauda" following the Supreme Court's decision to examine the CBI's appeal. This indicates widespread public interest in the case.
FAQs
1. Why did the Supreme Court agree to examine the CBI's appeal?
The Supreme Court agreed to examine the CBI's appeal because it found merit in the CBI's arguments that the trial court had erred in its acquittal decision.
2. What is the CBI alleging?
The CBI is alleging that Ram Rahim orchestrated the murder of Ranjit Singh after suspecting him of leaking an anonymous letter accusing Ram Rahim of sexual misconduct.
3. What happened in the trial court?
The trial court acquitted all the accused, including Ram Rahim, in 2017. The court found that the CBI had failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Ram Rahim was involved in the conspiracy to murder Ranjit Singh.
4. What is the significance of the Supreme Court's decision?
The Supreme Court's decision to examine the CBI's appeal is significant because it could potentially overturn the trial court's acquittal decision and lead to the conviction of Ram Rahim and the other accused.
5. What is the current status of the case?
The Supreme Court has referred the case to Justice Bela M. Trivedi's bench. The bench is already hearing a related petition filed by the victim's father. The next hearing is scheduled for a later date.
On January 13, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Lohri with the public in New Delhi, spreading warm wishes and highlighting the festival's cultural significance. Lohri, marking the end of winter and the beginning of the harvest season, symbolizes prosperity and togetherness among people from all walks of life. The celebration was filled with joy and the traditional rituals of gathering around a bonfire, singing folk songs, and offering offerings for a successful and abundant year ahead.
Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has taken action against Allahabad High Court Judge Shekhar Yadav for his alleged anti-Muslim remarks at a Vishwa Hindu Parishad event. Khanna has requested a fresh report from the Allahabad High Court Chief Justice on the issue, after the Collegium previously met with Justice Yadav for an explanation. This is seen as a first step in the process to initiate an in-house inquiry for judicial misconduct, based on a previous Supreme Court ruling that sets guidelines for handling such cases.
In a recent interview, a former Supreme Court Justice reflects on the crucial role of the judiciary in maintaining a check-and-balance system within the government. He emphasizes the need for a certain level of distance between the judiciary and the government, and discusses his experience working with different chief justices. While admitting to having some differences in perception, he also highlights the importance of standing firm on administrative decisions to ensure the independence of the judiciary.
Odisha has become the 34th state to join the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana scheme, much to the appreciation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He criticized the previous BJD government for not adopting the scheme, which aims to provide affordable and high-quality healthcare to all citizens. The new BJP-led government in Odisha has replaced the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana with the Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana, in line with the national health scheme. This move is expected to benefit women and senior citizens in the state.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched his party's Delhi campaign with a fiery speech at a public meeting in the Muslim-dominated area of Seelampur. He took aim at both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, accusing them of failing to deliver on their promises. As the Congress sets its sights on reclaiming its minority vote bank, Gandhi reminded the audience of the party's past successes under former CM Sheila Dikshit and promised to prioritize Delhi's development. Despite the AAP and Congress being part of the same INDIA bloc, Gandhi made it clear that the two parties are now strong competitors in the upcoming assembly elections.
Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of the Sonamarg Tunnel, Abdullah lauded Modi's efforts in bridging the gap between the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the central government. He commended the smooth conduct of elections in the Union Territory and expressed hope for the restoration of statehood. Paying homage to the victims of a terrorist attack near the tunnel site, Abdullah affirmed that terrorism will not stop the region's development and democracy.
General Upendra Dwivedi, speaking at the Army's annual press conference, disclosed that only four local men in J&K joined militant ranks in 2020 and that 60% of those killed during counter-terrorism operations were from Pakistan. He emphasized that the local people were in favor of peace and that the violence in the region was being orchestrated by Pakistan. Despite the challenges faced by the Army in the past two years, recent successes in reworking the counter-terrorism grid have led to a positive change and the theme of "terrorism to tourism" is gradually becoming a reality in Jammu and Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his efforts to bridge the gap between Delhi and Union Territory. He praised the Prime Minister for keeping his promise of conducting Assembly elections in the region and stated that it has led to an increase in trust among the residents. PM Modi inaugurated the 6.5-kilometre Sonamarg Tunnel, which will now be called the Z-Morh Tunnel, in a major infrastructure boost for the region. Chief Minister Abdullah also mentioned the Centre's efforts to reduce the distance between Delhi and the heart of the region, leaving the Prime Minister with a smile.
As the number of women in India's armed forces steadily increases, Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi announces plans for gender neutrality and enhanced roles for women in the military. With approximately 1,700 women officers set to join the Indian Army and other forces after training, the push for a strong and equal female presence in the tri-services is gaining momentum. The Army Chief notes that women officers have been performing exceptionally well, and efforts are being made to ensure a gender-neutral approach to their roles and opportunities in the armed forces.
The National Commission for Women has formed a committee to investigate the brutal killing of a female BPO employee by her colleague in the parking lot of their company. The committee will be headed by NCW Member Secretary Meenakshi Negi and will also include former DGP's Dr B K Sinha and R Sreelekha. The committee's mandate includes identifying lapses in workplace security and bystander inaction, and proposing measures for improving safety in the tech industry.