Punjab CM Approves Prosecution of Gurmeet Ram Rahim
Background
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has given the green light for the prosecution of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the leader of Dera Sacha Sauda, in connection with sacrilege cases from 2015. This decision follows the Supreme Court’s recent action to lift a stay that was previously imposed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Supreme Court’s Decision
On Friday, the Supreme Court, led by Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan, removed the stay on proceedings against Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. The court also issued a notice to him regarding the Punjab government’s appeal against the High Court’s stay on the trial.
Details of the Sacrilege Cases
The sacrilege cases date back to 2015, involving incidents in Bargari, Faridkot district, where the holy Sikh scripture, Guru Granth Sahib, was allegedly desecrated. An FIR was filed under sections 295 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code at Police Station Bajakhana.
Legal Proceedings
In December 2021, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh sought a CBI investigation into the sacrilege cases, leading to the High Court’s stay on proceedings. However, with the Supreme Court’s recent decision, the path is now clear for the trial to proceed.
Current Status
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is currently serving a 20-year sentence for rape and has also been convicted of murder.
Doubts Revealed
Punjab CM -: Punjab CM stands for Punjab Chief Minister. The Chief Minister is the head of the government in the Indian state of Punjab. Currently, Bhagwant Mann is the Chief Minister.
Bhagwant Mann -: Bhagwant Mann is a politician in India and the current Chief Minister of Punjab. He is a member of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Prosecution -: Prosecution means taking legal action against someone in a court of law. It involves trying to prove that the person has committed a crime.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim -: Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is the leader of a religious group called Dera Sacha Sauda. He is currently in jail for crimes like rape and murder.
2015 Sacrilege Cases -: The 2015 sacrilege cases refer to incidents where the holy book of Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib, was disrespected or desecrated in Punjab. This caused a lot of anger and protests among the Sikh community.
Supreme Court -: The Supreme Court is the highest court in India. It makes important decisions on legal matters and can overrule decisions made by lower courts.
Stay -: A stay is a legal order that temporarily stops a court case or the enforcement of a court decision. In this context, the High Court had paused the trial, but the Supreme Court lifted this pause.
Punjab and Haryana High Court -: The Punjab and Haryana High Court is a court that serves the states of Punjab and Haryana in India. It handles legal cases and disputes in these regions.
Desecration -: Desecration means showing disrespect or damaging something sacred or holy. In this case, it refers to disrespecting the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs.
Faridkot district -: Faridkot is a district in the Indian state of Punjab. It is one of the places where the sacrilege incidents happened in 2015.
20-year sentence -: A 20-year sentence means that Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been ordered by the court to spend 20 years in prison for his crimes.
