Dera chief not cooperating, CBI tells court

Chandigarh Aug 22 (UNI) The CBI today told the Punjab and Haryana High Court that Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, an accused in two cases of murder and a rape case, was not cooperating in the investigations.

The CBI also opposed grant of anticipartory bail to the Dera chief saying charges of murder and rape were serious enough to deny him relief.

The matter came up before Justice Surya Kant during arguments on the anticipatory bail plea of the Dera chief who had been chargesheeted by the CBI in the cases of murder of Sirsa-based journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati and former dera employee Ranjit Singh and a case of sexual exploitation of women disciples.

CBI counsel Rajan Gupta reiterated the charge of non-cooperation against the Dera chief and said hurdles were created by him in the investigation through mobilisation of thousands of his followers when the probe was on.

However, the counsel for dera head said there was no need to arrest him now as the cbi did not do so while investigating.

The arguments remained inconclusive and would be resumed tomorrow.

UNI