Battle only half won, says son of slain journalist

The CBI court's 20-year sentence against Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for raping two of his former women followers is only half the battle won, said Anshul Chhatrapati, son of slain Sirsa journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati.

Anshul is still fighting a legal battle against the Dera chief for ordering his father's murder and the final arguments will commence on September 16.

"This punishment certainly reinforces faith in the judiciary. But for me, the bigger moment is the vindication of my father's work," said Anshul. It was Ram Chander Chhatrapati, who first reported the anonymous letter of two Dera sadhvis, who accused the Dera head of rape and consistent sexual exploitation. Ram Chander was shot outside his home on October 24, 2002, allegedly by Gurmeet Singh's henchmen.

"That is was a heinous crime. The Dera chief lured innocent women - who believed in him under the guise of religion, loyalty and spirituality - only to rape and intimidate them. The wolf, who has been hiding under the garb f a saint, has been exposed," Anshul added.

The verdict and punishment against Gurmeet Singh has infused fresh hope in Anshul. He now expects a positive outcome from his father's murder trial. "This verdict has restored my faith in the legal system and I definitely feel that after the final arguments are over, there will be a positive conclusion in my father's murder case," Anshul said.