CBI Court Sentences ‘Godman’ Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh to 20 years in Prison

A special CBI court on Monday sentenced self-declared godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh to 20 years in jail after he was charged with allegations of rape from two of his devotees in 2002. The court also slapped him with a fine of Rs 65,000 – Rs 50,000 for rape and Rs 10,000 for an attempt to murder and Rs 5,000 for criminal intimidation.

A high-voltage drama unfolded outside a makeshift courtroom in the Rohtak jail premises, where the quantum of punishment was announced amid high security.

As the prosecution and the defence concluded their arguments in the fixed time of 10 minutes each, Gurmeet broke into tears and began pleading the judge with folded hands for leniency.

After CBI Judge Jagdeep Singh – who had last week held Gurdeep guilty of rape in a 15-year-old case – pronounced the quantum of punishment, the ‘godman’ who enjoys a huge following in the country and abroad, sat on the floor and began bawling outside the courtroom.

He was not cooperating with security personnel, who warned him that he would be taken inside the jail forcibly if he did not follow the rules. He was ultimately taken forcibly inside the prison after he refused to listen to security men inside.

He then started complaining of severe uneasiness. “I need urgent medical help and the state will be responsible if anything happens to me,” he said.

As a result, an ambulance was rushed inside the jail premises. CMO Dr Deepa conducted two rounds of medical checkups on the Dera Sacha Sauda chief and ruled out the need for any leniency on medical grounds.

He was then dragged inside the jail.

The CBI court said in its judgment said that Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh will be treated as any other 'ordinary' convict and will not be provided special amenities or an attendant.

“Rape convicts are not supposed to get any special facilities and Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh should be treated as an ordinary prisoner. Give jail uniform to convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. He will not be allowed to carry his personal clothes,” the court strictly instructed the jail authorities.

Meanwhile, Gurmeet Ram Rahim's lawyer said, “The court gave him minimum punishment because no one can take away, the good work that he has done.” The lawyer also added that he will move Punjab and Haryana High Court for relief.

Rohtak has been turned into a fortress by paramilitary forces and the Haryana Police. The Army has been kept on standby. Barbed wire barriers are in place and residents have been asked to stay indoors.

IGP Rohtak Range Navdeep Singh Virk was quoted as saying that no Dera follower has been allowed to enter Rohtak district or around the jail. But there is a fear that the roughly 20,000 Dera followers who have gathered or are present in Rohtak might try to congregate at one place.

Keeping that in mind, all Dera offices have been sealed and check posts are being set up at almost all major traffic intersections. Mobile internet services will remain suspended in Haryana and Punjab till 11:30 am on Tuesday.

Neighbouring areas of Panchkula, Sirsa – the headquarters of Dera Sacha Sauda – and Western Uttar Pradesh have been put on high alert. Section 144 is already in place in some districts and the curfew still continues in Sirsa. Many areas saw forces carrying out flag marches and keeping vigil in sensitive areas.

Singh was charged under sections 375 (rape) and 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) since the offence was committed prior to the Prevention of Children From Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act coming into force. The minimum punishment that could have been awarded to Gurdeep was seven years and he got 10 years in jail.

Last week, over 35 people died, as followers of Dera Sacha Sauda chief resorted to violence and clashed with security forces after the ‘Godman’ of Sirsa was pronounced guilty of rape on August 25.