CHANDIGARH (Saturday, March 7, 2026) — In a major legal victory for Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has acquitted him in the 2002 murder case of Sirsa-based journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati. The decision comes more than seven years after a special CBI court had sentenced the sect head to life imprisonment for the crime.
The High Court Verdict
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Vikram Aggarwal delivered the judgment on Saturday morning, allowing the appeals filed by the Dera chief against his 2019 conviction.
- Grounds for Acquittal: While the detailed judgment is awaited, the bench observed that the prosecution failed to prove the conspiracy charges against Ram Rahim beyond reasonable doubt.
- Mixed Outcome: Notably, the court upheld the conviction and life sentences of the other three accused—Kuldeep Singh, Nirmal Singh, and Krishan Lal—ruling that the evidence against the actual shooters remained solid.
- Legal Parity: The defense argued that Ram Rahim was not named in the initial 2002 chargesheet and that the “conspiracy” theory was built years later based on unreliable witness testimonies.
Background: The 2002 Murder
The case stems from the killing of Ram Chander Chhatrapati, the editor of the evening daily Poora Sach.
- The Trigger: Chhatrapati was the first to publish an anonymous letter from a sadhvi (female follower) alleging widespread sexual exploitation of women at the Dera headquarters in Sirsa.
- The Attack: On October 24, 2002, two men on a motorcycle shot Chhatrapati at point-blank range outside his home. He succumbed to his injuries four weeks later.
- The 2019 Conviction: A special CBI court in Panchkula had found Ram Rahim guilty as the “main conspirator” who orchestrated the hit to silence the journalist.
| Case Milestone | Date |
| Murder of Chhatrapati | October 2002 |
| CBI Takeover | November 2003 |
| Rape Conviction (20 Years) | August 2017 |
| CBI Court Murder Conviction | January 2019 |
| High Court Acquittal | March 7, 2026 |
Current Legal Status
Despite this acquittal, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh will remain in Sunaria Jail, Rohtak, due to his other convictions:
- Rape Cases: He is serving a 20-year rigorous imprisonment for the rape of two female disciples.
- Ranjit Singh Murder Case: Although he was acquitted by the High Court in the Ranjit Singh murder case in May 2024, the CBI has challenged that acquittal in the Supreme Court.
Reaction from the Victim’s Family
Anshul Chhatrapati, the son of the slain journalist who fought the legal battle for 24 years, termed the verdict a “major setback.” He confirmed that the family would move the Supreme Court of India to challenge the acquittal, stating, “The main culprit has been let off; our struggle for justice will continue in the highest court.”
Sources
- Press Trust of India (PTI): “Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh acquitted in journalist murder case” (March 7, 2026)
- The Hindu: “Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim acquitted in journalist murder case” (March 7, 2026)
- Live Law: “Punjab & Haryana High Court Acquits Dera Chief in Chhatrapati Murder Case” (March 7, 2026)
- The Indian Express: “High Court acquits Ram Rahim in Chhatrapati murder case; son to move SC” (March 7, 2026)
- Hindustan Times: “Dera chief acquitted in 2002 journalist murder case by Punjab and Haryana HC” (March 7, 2026)
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