Court to hear CBI's arguments in Sacha Sauda case on July 5

Ambala, Jun 7 (UNI) The special CBI court here deferred the case to July 5 for hearing the CBI arguments in the rape and murder cases against the Sirsa Sacha Sauda Dera Chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh after the defence counsel wound up his arguments today.

Earlier, the defence counsel argued that the CBI had falsely framed the Dera chief under Section 376 for alleged sexual exploitation of the dera sadhvis ''without any evidence'' with an objective of ''tarnishing the baba's image''.

He alleged that the investigating officer had ''concocted'' the case of exploitation in the year 2007, while the CBI was handed over the case in 2000.

He also made a mention of a missing sadhvi who had been kept under custody at some undisclosed place and said the statements of sadhvis against the Dear chief were ''made under duress.'' Refuting the defence claims, the CBI counsel said the Agency had framed the case under rules and the Dera chief had been ''found guilty of sex exploitation of innocent girl devotees who had moved the High Court to get justice''.

He said the CBI had procured statements of these sadhvis which would be submitted in the court.

Dera manager Kishan Lal and others, who were facing charges the murder case of Dera manager Ranjit Singh, had given false statements in this regard, the defence councel added.

Defending the IO, he said that he had prepared the case on the basis of facts.

The Dera chief was present in the court, was allowed to sit on chair after repeated requests.

Prior to beginning of the court proceedings, a fire broke out in the high security area due to short circuit and was soon brought under control.

The Police had made extra security arrangements and no vehicle except a few ones following the dera chief were allowed to enter court premises.

The dera chief didn't address his followers gathered in the HUDA grounds Ambala City today.

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