High Court Seeks Response on Ram Rahim's Plea for FIR Transfer

In a significant development, the Punjab & Haryana High Court has taken cognizance of a plea filed by self-proclaimed spiritual leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim seeking the transfer of investigation in FIRs related to the 2015 Sacrilege cases. Justice Vinod S. Bhardwaj presiding over the case has issued notices to the Punjab and Union Government, as well as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), directing them to respond to the plea.

Gurmeet Ram Rahim, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for the rape of two of his disciples, has moved the court seeking the transfer of FIRs registered in Bathinda and Moga, Punjab, under Sections 295A and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), to the CBI. The plea contends that the ongoing investigation is tainted and unfair, necessitating the intervention of a neutral investigative agency like the CBI.

The plea underscores the emotive nature of the sacrilege issue, which has the potential to polarize communities along religious lines. It alleges that vested interests exert pressure on the state machinery, thereby necessitating an impartial probe to ensure justice. Notably, the court had recently referred another plea by Ram Rahim challenging the Punjab Government's withdrawal of consent for CBI probe into related FIRs to a larger bench, indicating the complexity and significance of the legal issues involved.

The backdrop of the case revolves around a series of desecration incidents in Punjab starting in 2015, which led to widespread protests and unrest in the state. Following initial investigations, the CBI had filed a closure report in June 2019, stating a lack of incriminating evidence against followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda. However, the Punjab government later withdrew consent for CBI investigation, leading to the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) by the state police.

The matter, titled "Sant Gurmeet Ram Rahim v. State of Punjab & Ors.", is scheduled for further consideration on May 21. Advocates Gautam Dutt, Amar D. Kamra, and Mayank Aggarwal represent the petitioner, while Dheeraj Jain serves as Senior Standing Counsel for the Union Government. This legal development highlights the ongoing legal battles surrounding the sensitive sacrilege cases and the involvement of high-profile individuals like Gurmeet Ram Rahim.

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