More Trouble for Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh as SC Clears Trial in 2015 Sacrilege Cases

New Delhi: In a major blow to rape convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the Supreme Court on Friday, October 18, lifted the stay imposed by the Punjab and Haryana Police against the Dera Sacha Sauda chief in three 2015 sacrilege cases involving the desecration of the holy scripture Guru Granth Sahib. 

The SC Bench, comprising Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan, also issued a notice to Ram Rahim, requiring his response within a matter of four weeks.

Ram Rahim is already serving a 20-year sentence for rape and also convicted for murder. The sacrilege incidents took place after protests erupted across Punjab 's Bargari area went the torn pages of the holy book were found.

As the demonstrations turned violent, the police opened fire, killing two people in Behbal Kalan. Several others were injured in Kotkapura.

In December 2021, Ram Rahim moved the High Court demanding that the CBI probe the three sacrilege FIRs of 2015.

However, in February 2023, the top court transferred the trial against Ram Rahim and seven Dera Sacha Sauda followers from a court in Faridkot to Chandigarh. This move came after a Dera follower, an accused in the case, was shot dead.

(This is a developing copy, more details are to be added)