Rahim’s counsel said HC had recorded a categorical finding that the key witness could not be believed NEW DELHIi: Supreme Court on Monday admitted a petition challenging acquittal of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, who is serving a 20-year sentence for sexually assaulting two female disciples, in the 2002 murder of Sirsa-based journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati.A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana overruled protests by Rahim’s counsel R Basant that it was a case of acquittal and that the state had not filed any appeal against the acquittal.“This matter requires consideration. It is a reversal of conviction (recorded by the trial court). It is not an acquittal affirmed by HC. We are equally conscious that the state (CBI) will not appeal against the acquittal,” it said. The trial court had convicted Rahim and sentenced him to life imprisonment in Jan 2019.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAdmitting a petition by Arindam Chhatrapati, the complainant and son of the murdered journalist, the bench requisitioned the trial court records, including witness statements, for scrutiny. It posted final hearing of the matter in Nov last week.Basant said HC had recorded a categorical finding that the key witness could not be believed at all.“We will examine the special circumstances attending to the examination of the key witness and whether the appreciation of his evidence is appropriate,” responded the bench.The appellant said, “Despite affirming the categorical findings of the trial court on the existence of a conspiracy for the commission of Chhatrapati’s murder and upholding the convictions of the three co-accused under Section 120-B IPC read with Section 302 IPC, HC incorrectly arrived at a conclusion that participation of Baba Gurmeet Singh in the conspiracy is not proved.”Finding lapses in the local police probe, Punjab and Haryana HC had in Nov 2003, almost a year after the murder, transferred the investigations to the CBI. The key witness, referred to by the SC, is the ex-driver of Rahim.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Only Dialogue Can Solve This’: Rahul Gandhi Backs Peaceful Jharkhand Student Protest | WatchJharkhand Students Storm Assembly Gates Amid Tear Gas, Lathicharge As ED Probe Intensifies Exam RowBihar Man Posed As IAS Officer, Claimed Doval Link; Police Seize Tesla, SUV And Imported Liquor’Mujhe Narendra Naam Se Nafrat Ho Gayi Hai’: PM Modi Interacts With India’s CWG Champions | Watch109 Years Later, MP Man Gets U.K. Response On War Loan ClaimSupriya Sule Says No Politics In PM Modi Meet As NCP-SP MPs Raise Maharashtra’s Key Demands‘Hitting Us On Head, Face’: Police Lathi-Charge Students During Assembly Gherao March In JharkhandModi Govt Going Slow On FCRA Bill To Woo Stalin’s DMK, Sharad Pawar’s NCP-SP For Delimitation?Jharkhand Showdown: Protesters Set To Gherao State Assembly; Demand JSSC-CGL Cancellation, CBI ProbeAgni-4 Missile Fills Crucial Range Gap, Bolsters India’s Strategic Deterrence Against China123PhotostoriesPrincess Diana to Grace Kelly: Popular fashion muses behind luxury’s most iconic handbags”… served non-stop with coconut chutney and a tub of…”: Vicky Kaushal on his go-to me-time meal beyond parathas; recipes inside10 beautiful baby names that mean “blessing from God”Optical illusions and personality test: What you spot first reveals your hidden personality traitsWhat happens when you consume Tulsi leaves daily? Sadhguru and Hansaji on its benefits, traditional uses and what science says7 Teacup dog breeds that are perfect for apartment living in IndiaEnd your day on a calmer note with these 5 simple evening ritualsOne of India’s rarest birds: 5 fascinating facts about the great Indian bustardOTT releases this week (August 10-August 16): ‘Cocktail 2’, ‘Aakhri Sawaal’, ‘Reacher Season 4’, ‘A Child of My Own’ and moreMr Faisu’s luxurious Mumbai home: Dreamy closet, a massive living room, watch collection and more123Hot PicksKarnataka cauvery disputeNEET PG city intimation slipUttarakhand rainJharkhand protestDevendra Nath MahtoAP EAMCET seat allotmentBrown University ScholarshipAtiq Ahmed sonAssam floodsTop TrendingAhmedabad Rape CaseSurat PG Medical Student SuicideEthanol BlendingTN Cauvery Water DisputeAtiq Ahmed SonHyderabad Hit and Run CaseAssam Floods DeathsAbhijeet DipkeTarun TejpalShakeel Noorani
NEW DELHIi: Supreme Court on Monday admitted a petition challenging acquittal of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, who is serving a 20-year sentence for sexually assaulting two female disciples, in the 2002 murder of Sirsa-based journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati.A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana overruled protests by Rahim’s counsel R Basant that it was a case of acquittal and that the state had not filed any appeal against the acquittal.“This matter requires consideration. It is a reversal of conviction (recorded by the trial court). It is not an acquittal affirmed by HC. We are equally conscious that the state (CBI) will not appeal against the acquittal,” it said. The trial court had convicted Rahim and sentenced him to life imprisonment in Jan 2019.
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Admitting a petition by Arindam Chhatrapati, the complainant and son of the murdered journalist, the bench requisitioned the trial court records, including witness statements, for scrutiny. It posted final hearing of the matter in Nov last week.Basant said HC had recorded a categorical finding that the key witness could not be believed at all.“We will examine the special circumstances attending to the examination of the key witness and whether the appreciation of his evidence is appropriate,” responded the bench.The appellant said, “Despite affirming the categorical findings of the trial court on the existence of a conspiracy for the commission of Chhatrapati’s murder and upholding the convictions of the three co-accused under Section 120-B IPC read with Section 302 IPC, HC incorrectly arrived at a conclusion that participation of Baba Gurmeet Singh in the conspiracy is not proved.”Finding lapses in the local police probe, Punjab and Haryana HC had in Nov 2003, almost a year after the murder, transferred the investigations to the CBI. The key witness, referred to by the SC, is the ex-driver of Rahim.
