Dera murder: CBI hears 59 witnesses, one remains

Rajinder Nagarkoti

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, September 18

The Central Bureau of Investigation read out statements of 59 witnesses as a special court in Panchkula hears final arguments in a murder case in which Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh stands accused.

The court directed Investigation Officer Armandeep Singh — the only witness whose statement remains to be heard — to appear before it on Tuesday, when the case is heard again.

Meanwhile, Gurmeet Singh, who is currently in a jail in Rohtak serving two sentences for rape and appears for the trial through video chat, complained of back pain on Monday and was allowed to rest from 3.35–3.55 pm.

Singh was sentenced to 20 years in jail for two rapes —10 years for each — last month.

He faces two murder trials: one for allegedly having Ranjit Singh — a former manager at the Dera — killed, and another for the suspected murder of journalist, Ram Chander Chhatrapati.

The court is currently hearing arguments in the two cases separately, with regular hearings in Ranjit Singh’s case.

It will hear Chhatrapati’s case on September 22.