Twenty-four years after journalist Ram Chhatrapati was shot dead in Sirsa, the case has returned to the Supreme Court.
The Apex Court has scheduled a final hearing in November on a petition challenging the acquittal of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the 2002 murder case.
Petition by Son:
A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana issued notice on the petition filed by Aridaman, Ram Chhatrapati’s son. The petition challenges the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s March 2026 judgment that acquitted Ram Rahim.
Senior Advocate R. Basanth, appearing for Ram Rahim, told the Court that the State had not filed an appeal against the High Court’s decision. The Chief Justice replied that the Court was ‘equally conscious’ that the State might not file an appeal.
Earlier Conviction:
Justice Joymalya Bagchi said that appeals against acquittals may be rare. However, he noted that this case involved the reversal of an earlier conviction. A Special CBI Court had convicted Ram Rahim and sentenced him to life imprisonment, but the High Court later reversed that decision and acquitted him.
The Supreme Court also said it would look into the special circumstances in which the High Court examined the evidence of prosecution witness No. 31, Khatta Singh. The case has therefore been listed for final hearing in November.
Journalist Was Shot:
Ram Chhatrapati was the editor of the evening newspaper Pura Sach in Sirsa, Haryana. On October 24, 2002, he was shot outside his home in Sirsa. He was taken to hospital and later died from his injuries at Apollo Hospital in Delhi on November 21, 2002.
Why He Was Targeted:
Chhatrapati had published reports about allegations that women followers of the Dera were sexually exploited. After he was shot, an FIR was registered at City Police Station, Sirsa, under Sections 307 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Arms Act. After his death, the case was changed to include murder under Section 302 of the IPC and criminal conspiracy under Section 120-B of the IPC.
CBI Took Over:
The Haryana Police first investigated the case. Later, petitions were filed in the High Court alleging problems with the investigation. In 2003, the investigation was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
2019 Life Sentences:
In 2019, a Special CBI Court convicted Ram Rahim, Kuldeep Singh, Nirmal Singh and Krishan Lal, a Dera manager, of murder and conspiracy. All were sentenced to life imprisonment.
High Court Acquittal:
In March 2026, the Punjab and Haryana High Court acquitted Ram Rahim. However, it upheld the convictions and life sentences of Kuldeep Singh, Nirmal Singh and Krishan Lal.
Khatta Singh’s Testimony:
The High Court considered the evidence of prosecution witness No. 31, Khatta Singh, among other things. The Division Bench said that, in the circumstances of the case, Khatta Singh appeared to have been pressured by the CBI to give a statement against Ram Rahim.
Based on this, the High Court overturned Ram Rahim’s conviction but kept the convictions of the other three accused unchanged.
Challenge in Supreme Court:
Aridaman then approached the Supreme Court against Ram Rahim’s acquittal. During the hearing, the Supreme Court noted the circumstances in which the High Court had assessed Khatta Singh’s testimony. The Court said the issue needed consideration and would be examined at the final hearing in November.
Case Details: ARIDAMAN v. BABA GURMEET SINGH @ MAHARAJ GURMEET SINGH @ GURMEET RAM RAHIM SINGH AND ANR. Diary No. 40480-2026
