At 2:45 pm on Friday when the special CBI court pronounced self-styled godman Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh guilty of rape, CBI counsel HPS Verma smiled as truth emerged triumphant. In this moment of victory too, he knew that a bigger victory is expected on August 28 when Verma will seek life imprisonment for the godman when the court sits to announce the quantum of sentence on the controversial guru, who broke down twice upon hearing the verdict.
Ram Rahim, who commands massive following in Haryana and Punjab, arrived in Panchkula around 2 pm. At 2:30 pm, the Dera chief, accompanied by his wife, and adopted daughter Honeypreet, alighted from a black SUV bearing heavily tinted glasses, wearing white-coloured kurta pyjama, white shoes and no head gear. Moving towards the CBI court located on the first floor of Panchkula District Court, he took steady steps towards the metal detector where he patiently allowed cops on duty to frisk him.
Only six people including CBI judge Jagdeep Singh, defence counsel Verma, two CBI officials and the 'baba' were present in the court, which was having in-camera proceedings. As the hearing began, the man stood in a corner with folded hands. Sources informed that Ram Rahim had tension writ large on his face as the hearing proceeded. Legs shivering, unable to stand steady, he stared into his imminent fate as ADJ Singh convicted him of rape at 2:45 pm. As soon as ADJ Singh finished the orders, Ram Rahim broke down. Half-an-hour later, face washed with tears as he broke down again on seeing his family, he was arrested formally. Not willing to accept the fate that befell the godman, they hugged him as he was being taken away, and even tried to snatch the judicial warrants from the commandoes. Personnel from his Z plus allegedly manhandled the commandos and stopped him from sitting in the police car.
Talking to DNA, after the verdict was announced, Verma made no bones about seeking maximum punishment for the Dera Sacha Sauda chief. He informed that Ram Rahim has been convicted in two cases, both of them pertaining to Sector 376 and Sector 506 of the IPC. He was accused of raping a sadhvi and a follower in a case that dates back to 2002. "We are going to press for life imprisonment on Monday. He does not deserve anything less than that. We will fight tooth and nail and ensure that he is incarcerated for life," stated Verma, relief and joy evident in his voice. "Ït was a long battle and rough road to justice. Despite this, we stood our ground and fought with extreme grit and determination. This verdict has not only brought justice to the victims and their families but also reposed faith in the judiciary," the prosecution counsel said.
TENSE MOMENTS
- Only six people including CBI judge, Jagdeep Singh, defence counsel, Verma, two CBI officials and the ‘baba’ were present in the court.
- Personnel from his Z plus allegedly manhandled the commandos.
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