File photo of Gurmeet Ram Rahim
Panchkula, September 16, 2017: The CBI court here on Saturday ordered separate hearing in two murder cases against rape convict Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim. The hearing will continue on Monday.
In a related development, the CBI court also fixed September 22 as the next date of hearing on the fresh application moved before it by Khatta Singh, former driver of the accused Dera chief. A witness in the murder cases, Khatta Singh petitioned that he wanted to record fresh statement against the accused. He had earlier deposed in favour of the accused godman but pleaded that he did so under threat.
SK Garg, the counsel for the accused Dera chief informed that the court fixed Monday, September 18 as the next date of hearing in the case of slain Dera manager Ranjit Singh. The hearing in the murder case of journalist Ram Chander Chhatarpati will be held on September 22.
Both cases were listed for final arguments in the court of special CBI judge Jagdeep Singh who had, on August 25, ordered conviction of Dera chief in rape cases of his two sadhvis (female disciples).
The accused participated in the proceedings through video conferencing from Rohtak jail where he is lodged after his conviction in the rape cases. Seven other accused were, however, present in the court.
Tight security arrangements were made around the court complex in Panchkula as well as around the Rohtak jail and Dera headquarter in Sirsa district,