Punjab and Haryana High Court Resumes Hearing in Ram Chander Chhatrapati Murder Case Citing Emergence of New Facts
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has taken a significant step by resuming the hearing in the high-profile Ram Chander Chhatrapati murder case. This development comes more than four months after the court had initially reserved its verdict on the appeal filed by Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim and other co-accused individuals.
Court Cites New Facts Requiring Clarification
In a recent order released on January 30, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Vikram Aggarwal observed that new facts have emerged during the dictation of the judgment. The bench stated that these facts require further clarification to ensure proper adjudication of the matter. The appeals were finally heard on September 25, 2025, but the emergence of these new details has prompted the court to initiate a re-hearing process.
Background of the Case and Initial Conviction
On January 17, 2019, a special CBI court in Panchkula delivered a landmark verdict in this case. The court sentenced Gurmeet Ram Rahim and three others to life imprisonment for the 2002 murder of Sirsa-based journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati. Chhatrapati was the editor of the ‘Poora Sach' newspaper. Additionally, the court imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the convicted individuals.
Arguments Presented by the Dera Chief's Counsel
Gurmeet Ram Rahim challenged his conviction before the High Court, asserting that he had been falsely implicated by the CBI. His counsel argued that the first chargesheet against other accused persons—Nirmal, Kuldeep, and Krishan Lal—had already been filed, and none of them had alleged his involvement in the conspiracy. The counsel contended that the Dera chief was not named in the initial chargesheet filed by police in 2002 and that his name was included later by way of revenge.
Furthermore, the petition highlighted that the investigating agency failed to prove that Gurmeet Ram Rahim ever read the ‘Poora Sach' newspaper. According to the prosecution's own narrative, it was an evening newspaper that primarily reported news already published by morning newspapers. Thus, the petition argues, there was no basis for the appellant to hold any grudge against the deceased journalist.
Opposition from CBI and Victim's Family
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), along with the counsel representing the murdered journalist's family, strongly opposed the Dera chief's plea. After the final hearing in September of last year, the High Court had reserved its verdict, setting the stage for the current re-hearing due to the newly emerged facts.
Current Status of Gurmeet Ram Rahim
Gurmeet Ram Rahim has been incarcerated in Rohtak's Sunaria jail since August 2017, following his conviction and sentencing to 20 years in jail for the rape of two devotees. Currently, he is on parole and is residing at his ashram in Sirsa, awaiting further developments in this ongoing legal battle.
