Ram Rahim guilty: Dera to challenge verdict against its chief in higher court
The Dera Sacha Sauda in a statement on Friday termed the Special CBI court verdict against Dera chief Ram Rahim as unjust and would challenge the same in higher court.
In a statement in Hindi, signed by spokesperson Dilawar Insaan, the Dera also appealed for peace amid widespread violence that has already claimed 29 lives after the verdict was pronounced earlier on Friday.
"This is unjust. We will appeal against the judgment," the statement said.
"What has happened with us is something that has happened to gurus through history. Dera Sacha Sauda is dedicated to the betterment of humanity. We request all to maintain peace," the statement further read.
The judgment triggered widespread violence and arson by Ram Rahim's supporters in Punjab and Haryana. The violence left a trail of destruction and vandalism and many injured, officials said.
CBI judge Jagdeep Singh held the 50-year-old Dera Sacha Sauda chief guilty of rape in a case that was registered on the basis of a 2002 anonymous written complaint which said he had sexually exploited two women followers.
On the basis of the report, a case was registered against him in December 2002 by the CBI on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The
quantum
of
sentence
will
be
pronounced
on
28
August,
CBI
counsel
HPS
Verma
told
reporters
outside
the
court.
The
punishment
can
be
a
jail
term
of
not
less
than
seven
years
but
may
even
extend
to
life
imprisonment.
The Special CBI court framed charges against Ram Rahim under Sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC in September 2008.
Meanwhile, taking a strong note of mayhem unleashed by followers of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Raheem, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered recovery of losses from the Dera Sacha Sauda.
PTI