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Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 22
“CBI SP Satish Dagar is the real hero of the story,” said Anshul Chhatrapati, son of slain journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati. Anshul’s remark came on the sidelines of a function here today. Dagar was the investigating officer in the murder case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
On January 17, the CBI Special Court, Haryana, had sentenced the dera chief to life imprisonment for murdering Ram Chander Chhatrapati.
“This fight couldn’t be fought alone. The role of the Haryana Police was shoddy. Then the CBI started investigations. Despite political pressure and forces within the organisation, the agency officials gave their 100 per cent. The case was strong. I salute them because on the basis of evidence, the dera chief was convicted,” said Anshul.
Ram Chander Chhatrapati was murdered as his newspaper ‘Poora Sach’ was publishing reports related to sexual exploitation of ‘sadhvis’ at the dera.
‘Poora Sach’, which started in 2000, was closed in 2014. “Once, its circulation was about 5,000. But around 2011, we faced some financial issues and had to stop publishing the newspaper. I want to revive it but nothing would be done in haste,” said Anshul.
His sister Shreyasi was also present during the function and was honoured too.
“The revival of the paper is in the pipeline. All family members are contributing financially and a trust will be set up,” she said.
Both Anshul and Shreyasi, along with their brother Aridaman, were eyewitnesses to their father’s murder.
Anshul thanked three Haryana policemen who apprehended shooter Kuldeep Singh at the spot. Head Constable Amarpal, Constable Dharam Chand and Constable Jagmender were posted at the Khairpur police post in Sirsa in 2002. On October 24 that year, they were on patrolling duty in the evening when they heard gunshots, ran towards the Chhatrapatis’ house and caught Kuldeep Singh.
“My father kept an eye on dera activities. He had started a mission to expose the dera chief. He published stories related to anonymous letter about sexual exploitation of women followers at the dera. Only when he left us did we realise what he was and what he wanted to do,” said Anshul.
“In the last 16-17 years, I saw various ups and downs. Political parties were competing to give a clean chit to the dera chief. We never gave up,” he said, condemning the BJP MLAs who visited the dera to thank Ram Rahim for his support to the party in the 2014 Haryana Assembly elections.
I salute agency officials: Anshul
This fight couldn’t be fought alone. The role of the Haryana Police was shoddy. Then the CBI started investigations. Despite political pressure and forces within the organisation, the agency officials gave their 100 per cent. The case was strong. I salute them because on the basis of evidence, the dera chief was convicted. — Anshul Chhatrapati, Son of slain journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati
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