In a significant legal development, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has greenlit the prosecution of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the controversial chief of Dera Sacha Sauda, in connection with the 2015 sacrilege cases. This decision follows the recent lifting of a stay on the trial by the Supreme Court. ⚖️✨
📅 Background:
- The Supreme Court, on October 18, 2024, removed the stay previously imposed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, allowing the state to proceed with its case against Ram Rahim.
- The court has given Ram Rahim four weeks to respond to Punjab’s petition challenging the high court’s earlier order.
📜 What Are the Sacrilege Cases?
The sacrilege cases involve three separate incidents that occurred between June and October 2015 in Faridkot, Punjab:
- June 2, 2015: Allegations of desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib were reported by a priest at Gurudwara Singh Sahib.
- September 24-25, 2015: Derogatory posters regarding the Guru Granth Sahib and Sikh leaders were found outside a Gurudwara managed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).
- October 12, 2015: 112 torn pages of the Guru Granth Sahib were discovered around a Gurudwara in Bargari, leading to further FIRs.
These incidents have sparked outrage and protests, significantly impacting communal relations in the region.
🚨 Next Steps:
- With the prosecution now approved, Ram Rahim’s trial will move forward, focusing on the serious charges stemming from these sacrilege allegations.
- In a related context, Ram Rahim had previously sought a CBI probe into the allegations against him, claiming a lack of fairness in the state’s actions.
🔗 Conclusion:
This move by the Punjab government marks a critical moment in addressing the sensitive issues surrounding religious sentiments and justice in the state. The upcoming proceedings will be closely watched by both supporters and critics of Ram Rahim.
Stay tuned for updates as this case unfolds! 🕊️⚖️