CBI Court sentences 'rapist Baba' to 20-year imprisonment

Shubhanshu Sharma
Published on: 28 Aug 2017 9:10 AM GMT
Ram Rahim sentencing LIVE: CBI court judge reaches district jail
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Rohtak: Announcing the quantum of punishment in the 15-year-old rape case, the Special CBI court on Monday sentenced Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh to 20-year jail.

The sect chief has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in each of the two cases of rape. Both sentences will run consecutively.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakh on the sect chief. The rape victims will get Rs 14 lakh each as compensation from this amount.

Special CBI judge Jagdeep Singh pronounced the punishment in the especially erected court in the Sonaria District Jail premises after hearing arguments from both the sides and rejecting the demand for leniency from the counsel of Ram Rahim. The convict had been charged under IPC Sections 376, 506 and 511.

He has been allotted prisoner number 1997, the officials said after the proceedings.

Earlier, arguing that Ram Rahim Singh is a social worker, who has worked for welfare of people, the defence lawyer demanded clemency from judge.

Court room, set up at the District Jail at Sunaria near Rohtak, has announced the quantum of sentence to the Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a 15-year-old rape case here on Monday.

Minute-to-Minute during the proceedings:

  • Gurmeet Ram Rahim arrives before the special CBI judge.
  • Arguments begin at Rohtak's Sonaria jail for quantum of sentence in rape case.
  • Prosecution demands maximum punishment for rape convict Ram Rahim Singh in the rape case.
  • Singh with folded hands pleads for clemency.
  • Defence argues Singh is a social worker who has worked for welfare of people, so judge should take a lenient view.
  • Ram Rahim has been charged under IPC Sections 376, 506 and 511.
  • Special CBI judge has allotted 10 minutes each to both sides to put forth their arguments.
  • The agitated supporters of the self-styled godman have torched two vehicles in Phulka village of Sirsa district.
  • Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh holds emergency security review meeting with DGP, Chief Secretary and other senior officials, keeping in view the possibility of violence after Ram Rahim's sentencing.
  • I appeal to Dera followers to peacefully abide by the court's judgement, appeals the Dera Chairperson.
  • According to the eyewitnesses, Ram Rahim broke down during the court hearing.
  • The rapist Baba is undergoing a customary medical test before finally being sent to the jail.

Earlier on Saturday, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had ordered the Special CBI Court to hold its sitting for the sentencing of the 'rapist Baba' at the District Jail.

Also Read: MHA reviews security ahead of Ram Rahim’s sentencing

Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Home Affairs reviewed the security situation in Haryana and Punjab the sentencing of the self-proclaimed godman and said the situation was still tense but under control.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh held a review meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and other officials, sources said.

Earlier, the Ministry in a statement said 35 people have been killed in Haryana and Punjab following the verdict on Friday in a 2002 rape case.

“As per report dated August 28, of DGP Control Room, Haryana, total casualties have been 35 with 17 in Panchkula, six in Sirsa and 12 in Chandigarh and total number of injured is 204,” the Ministry said in a statement.

It said Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) remained imposed in all districts of Haryana.

“Columns of Army are doing flag march continuously,” it added.

The Ministry also said that there was a proper vigil in Panchkula, which bore the maximum brunt of the violence after the August 25 verdict, and at Sirsa that headquartered the Dera, as well as other parts of Punjab and Haryana.

Also Read: Rohtak jail to host court sitting for Dera chief sentencing, orders HC

A special CBI court’s judge will begin hearing arguments around 1430 hours on the quantum of punishment for the Dera chief, inside the District Jail at Sunaria near Rohtak where Ram Rahim has been lodged since Friday.

His punishment could range from seven years to life imprisonment.

Earlier, Panchkula town, where the CBI court announced the verdict, bore the brunt of violence unleashed by thousands of Dera supporters on Friday and resembled a war zone with a trail of over 30 deaths, burnt vehicles and properties worth crores damaged or torched.

Shubhanshu Sharma

Shubhanshu Sharma

Writer has 6 years of experience in digital media. Presently working as Senior Sub Editor at newstrack.com. An avid reader and always willing to learn new things and techniques.

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