High Court Acquits Dera Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2002 Journalist Murder Case

New Delhi, March 7, 2026 – In a significant legal development on March 7, 2026, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has acquitted Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the high-profile 2002 murder case of Sirsa-based journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati.The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Vikram Aggarwal, set aside the 2019 conviction by a special CBI court that had sentenced the Dera chief to life imprisonment. While the court cleared Ram Rahim of the charges, it notably upheld the conviction and sentences of the other three co-accused in the case: Kuldeep Singh, Nirmal Singh, and Krishan Lal.

Background: The 2002 Murder of Ram Chander Chhatrapati

The case dates back to October 24, 2002, when Ram Chander Chhatrapati, the editor of the local evening daily Poora Sach, was shot at point-blank range outside his residence in Sirsa. He succumbed to his injuries four weeks later on November 21.

The motive behind the killing was allegedly linked to Chhatrapati’s journalistic work. His newspaper was the first to publish an anonymous letter from a female follower (sadhvi) detailing systematic sexual exploitation at the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters. This letter eventually triggered the CBI investigation that led to Ram Rahim’s rape conviction in 2017.

The Legal Journey to Acquittal

In January 2019, a special CBI court in Panchkula found Ram Rahim and three others guilty of conspiracy and murder, sentencing them to life in prison. The Dera chief challenged this verdict in the High Court, arguing:

• Lack of Evidence: His legal team contended that he was not named in the initial police charge sheet in 2002.
• Questionable Witnesses: The defense argued that the testimony of key witnesses, including former Dera driver Khatta Singh, was unreliable and motivated by pressure from investigating agencies.
• Motive Disputed: Lawyers argued the prosecution failed to prove that Ram Rahim had even read the reports in Poora Sach or held a specific grudge against the journalist.

While the detailed written judgment is still awaited, the High Court’s decision to acquit indicates that the prosecution failed to establish Ram Rahim’s direct involvement in the conspiracy beyond a reasonable doubt.

Impact on Ram Rahim’s Incarceration

Despite this acquittal, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh will remain behind bars at Sunaria Jail in Rohtak. He is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence (awarded in 2017) for the rape of two disciples.

This is the second major acquittal for the Dera chief in recent years; in May 2024, the High Court similarly acquitted him in the 2002 murder case of former Dera manager Ranjit Singh.

Reactions to the Verdict

The verdict has drawn a sharp response from the victim’s family. Anshul Chhatrapati, the son of the slain journalist who has led the legal battle for over two decades, termed the acquittal a “major setback.”

“The fight was against the mastermind. The shooters had no personal enmity with my father; they acted on orders. If the main culprit is acquitted, it is a dark day for justice. We will move the Supreme Court to challenge this verdict,” Anshul stated.

The Haryana government and the CBI have yet to issue a formal statement regarding a potential appeal in the apex court.