Sedition charges dropped against 19 Sirsa dera men

: The court of additional sessions judge Rajan Walia has dropped sedition charges against key aides of rape convict Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim, besides other followers, in a case pertaining to the violence in the town and other parts of the region on August 25.

Top aides of dera chief, including Panchkula dera in-charge Chamkaur Singh and media coordinator Surender Dhiman, Govind Ram and Pawan Insan, are among the 19 accused.

The orders were passed on July 21, but were made available on Monday.

Over the past six months, this has been the fourth instance where the sedition charges have been dropped in cases registered after the violence.

A sedition case is registered under section 124-A of the Indian Penal Code and punishment under it is either imprisonment for life and fine or imprisonment for 3 years and fine, or fine.

The court framed charges under rioting, attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy and damage to public property.

The accused had snatched rifles including INSAS rifle and burnt vehicles.

“At the very outset, the public prosecutor has fairly conceded that for prosecuting the accused for the commission of offence punishable under sections 121, 121-A and 124-A (all related to waging of war against the state and also for sedition) of the Indian Penal Code, the sanction has not been accorded by the government.”

“Accordingly, they are charge-sheeted, which has been explained to them in Hindi, to which they pleaded not guilty and claimed trial. The prosecution witnesses be summoned directing to appear in the court on August 9,” the order goes on read.

OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS, THIS IS THE FOURTH INSTANCE OF THE CHARGES BEING DROPPED