Former Sacha Sauda driver deposes in murder case against Gurmeet
What's the story
A former driver of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has testified in court that a sect follower was killed on the directions of the self-styled godman.
Khatta Singh gave his testimony on the murder of a Dera follower Ranjit Singh at the special CBI court in Panchkula, said advocate Navkiran Singh who is representing him.
Here's more.
Statement
Dera chief issued directions for the killing: Khatta Singh
The Sacha Sauda chief was sentenced to 20 years in prison for raping two women followers, in a verdict which triggered violence in Haryana by his followers.
"In his statement, Khatta said the Dera chief issued directions for the killing of Ranjit Singh," the counsel said.
Khatta told the court that Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh ordered the elimination of Singh on June 16, 2002.
Conspiracy
Ram Rahim was named key conspirator in the killing
The murder of Ranjit Singh took place on July 10.
The head of the Sirsa-based sect was named key conspirator in the killing.
The next hearing in the case is on May 15.
Khatta Singh earlier gave a statement against Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in 2007 but retracted it in 2012, allegedly under pressure from the godman and his "goons".
Information
Why was Ranjit killed?
Ranjit Singh was killed for his suspected role in circulating an anonymous letter which alleged sexual exploitation of his disciples by the Dera head at its headquarters in Sirsa, according to the prosecution.
Murder
Khatta also deposed CBI on murder of journalist Ram Chhatrapati
Khatta also deposed before the CBI court on May 5 in the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati.
He had approached the CBI court last year after the Dera chief's conviction in the rape cases, seeking permission to record afresh his statements on the Ram Rahim's role in the two murder cases.
The CBI court had dismissed Khatta Singh's application for a fresh deposition.
Information
Singh told CBI he had information about the murder
Khatta then moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which allowed him to depose again. Singh told the Central Bureau of Investigation in 2007 that he had information about a meeting between Ram Rahim and his men before Ranjit Singh's murder.