Now, Khatta Singh ‘reveals’ dera chief’s role in follower’s murder
DEFENCE TO CROSS EXAMINE KHATTA SINGH ON MAY 15
PANCHKULA: After his testimony in the journalist murder case, Khatta Singh, former driver of rape convict Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, revealed on Tuesday, the dera chief’s involvement in murdering a dera follower, Ranjit Singh, during his testimony in a CBI court here.
He told the court that Ram Rahim issued directions to kill Ranjit during a meeting with his close aides inside his ‘gufa’ at dera headquarters in Sirsa on June 16, 2002.
Claiming that he was present in that meeting, Khatta said, “Baba ordered his (Ranjit’s) killing after his men told him how Ranjit was going against the dera after he suspected Ram Rahim’s hand in sexually exploiting his sister.”
Khatta also told the court that Ram Rahim’s men also believed that Ranjit was behind the circulation of an anonymous letter of sexual abuse of ‘sadhvis’ inside the dera that finally led to his conviction in rape cases last year. The testimony of Ranjit’s sister was vital for his 20-year jail term.
Ram Rahim, who is currently serving his term in Rohtak’s Sunaria Jail, was also present in the court through video conferencing during Khatta’s testimony.
Meanwhile, CBI special prosecutor HPS Verma said Khatta supported the prosecution case of dera chief’s involvement in murdering Ranjit Singh. He will appear in the court again on May 15 where defence will cross-examine him
HOW RANJIT DIED
Ranjit Singh was murdered on July 10, 2002 at his native Khanpur Kolian village of Kurukshetra.
As per CBI chargehseet, after serving tea to his father, who was working in the fields, he left on his motorcycle. On the way, four people fired at him and fled. Ranjit later died of bullet injuries.
Khatta told the CBI court that he knew Ranjit for many years. He said Ranjit’s daughters and sister lived insider the dera but he called them back one day in 2001.
“Later, I came to know that Ranjit was upset as he suspected that dera chief had sexually exploited his sister,” Khatta said.
As per Khatta Singh, months later, Ranjit too left the dera and an anonymous letter claiming large scale sexual exploitation of sadhvis was circulated inside.
He further said that before his murder, Ranjit was called to the dera and threatened by Ram Rahim’s men — Avtar Singh, Inder Sain, Krishan Lal, Jasbir Singh and Sabdil Singh — to seek apology from the dera chief for having circulated the anonymous letters and going against the dera.
However, when Ranjit did not agree, they told him to get ready to face the consequences.
CBI charged all the above five persons for killing Ranjit at the behest of Ram Rahim.
Khatta Singh also said that he had seen these five persons celebrating in a hotel outside the dera following Ranjit’s murder.
EARLIER TESTIMONY
Khatta Singh has already deposed against the dera chief on May 5 in a journalist’s murder, in which dera chief is also prime accused as conspirator.
Both the cases are now towards final argument stage.