Ram Rahim sentenced to 20 years in jail

August 29, 2017 Hot from the Oven Valli Sarvani No comments

Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh had been sentenced to 20 years in prison by a special CBI court yesterday.

Ram Rahim Singh was held guilty in a rape case. A case was filed against him in 2002.

Jagdeep Singh, the CBI judge announced the sentence in Rohtak jail after hearing the arguments of both sides.

As per the verdict, two sentences of 10 years each will run consecutively for a period of total 20 years. He was also fined ₹15 lakh each for a total of ₹30 lakh out of which ₹14 lakh each will go to the victims of two cases.

Ram Rahim Singh was sent for a medical examination after sentencing. However, he can file an appeal in the High Court against the court order.

The sentence was stated in Rohtak jail rather than Panchkula and the judge flew there by a helicopter.

The jail library took the form of a court where the court proceedings were conducted. 10 minutes of time was given to each, the prosecution and defense.

Both sides argued and said their versions. As per the defense, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh had done a lot of social work; so considering his work, the verdict should be lesser sentence. The defense counsel pleaded for the minimum sentence.

On the other hand, the CBI sought the maximum punishment. It argued that the culprit had raped the women for three years and there are many such women who have not come forwarded against him in fear.

The minimum sentence for his case is 7 years whereas the maximum is life imprisonment. The judge who heard the arguments had stated that he gave a balanced judgment.

According to sources, Ram Rahim Singh seems disappointed with the verdict and broke down with despair. He joins other rape convicts in Haryana jail.

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was convicted on August 25 by the CBI. His followers went on a rampage in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and the surrounding areas immediately after the announcement of the verdict. Several people were killed and injured in the massive riots.

Image credit: Image by Ichigo121212 from Pixabay (Free for commercial use)