Rape cases: HC admits dera chief’s petition

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana HC admitted the appeal filed by the Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh against his conviction in two rape cases. The court, however, refused to accept the Dera chief's plea for stay on payment of Rs 30 lakh as fine to be paid to the two survivors.

The court also admitted a plea by Dera chief 's two female disciples for conversion of his 20-year sentence to life imprisonment. In their plea for enhancement of sentence, the two sadhvis submitted that the special CBI court has erred in not awarding maximum sentence of life imprisonment for such a heinous offence.

In his plea, Gurmeet had expressed his inability to pay Rs 30 lakh compensation, saying he has renounced the world and was not in a position to pay the amount. He also argued that the Dera's properties and bank accounts had been attached. Taking up both the appeals, the HC issued notice to the CBI which had probed the allegations.