Ram Rahim’s acquittal in journalist murder case needs consideration: SC
The Supreme Court of India has admitted a petition to challenge the acquittal of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in a 2002 journalist murder case. The court will review trial records to determine if the High Court's decision to overturn the conviction was legally sound.
Why it matters
This case involves high-profile judicial scrutiny of a controversial religious leader and addresses the integrity of the criminal justice process in India.
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.
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