HC notices to CBI on Dera chief's bail plea

Chandigarh, Aug 20 (UNI) Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued notices for August 22 and 28 to the CBI on the anticipatpry bail plea of Dera Sacha Sauda Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, in connection with his involvement allegedly in the conspiracy to murder a journalist and a former Dera employee and charges of rape of female Dera inmates.

The anticipatory bail prayer in the cases involving conspiracy to kill the Sirsa-based scribe Ram Chander Chhatrapati and former dera devotee Ranjit Singh, a farmer from Kurukshetra district, was taken up by Justice Surya Kant who issued notice to CBI for August 22, whereas the case involving rape of female inmates was heard by Justice L N Mittal who issued notice to CBI for its response for August 28.

The CBI, after investigating the three cases on orders of the High Court had filed chargesheets against the Dera chief and others before special CBI judge, Ambala on July 31.

The CBI had summoned the Dera chief to appear in the court on August 31, following which the Dera Chief moved the High Court to seek pre-emptive bail.

UNI