BATHINDA, PUNJAB—A court today dismissed the case of the alleged blasphemy against the Sirsa-based leader of the anti-Sikh, Sacha Sauda cult, Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
The head of the Sacha Sauda cult was embroiled in controversy after he appeared in a newspaper advertisement attired in a dress similar to that of the tenth Sikh Guru, Siri Guru Gobind Singh ji in 2007.
During his “Jaam-e-Insa” ceremony, he drew clear parallels to Sikh practices in his mimicking of the Amrit ceremony, as initiated by Siri Guru Gobind Singh ji in 1699.
Although Rahim denied any attempt to mimic the Gurus, to the Sikh community his actions have suggested otherwise, as he continues to be accused of serious and offensive acts of blasphemy.
After the appearance of the advertisement, the state was hit by sectarian strife in which one person was killed, and over 50 injured.
District and Sessions Judge Tejinder Singh accepted the report submitted by the state seeking dismissal of the case.
Earlier, when the state had sought dismissal of case, the application was rejected by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Harjeet Singh.
The court had also ordered the prosecution to file the list of witnesses within 15 days against the accused on April 2, 2012. The dismissal of the case was sought on the affidavit was submitted by the police on February 4 that year. The complainant had only filed an affidavit alleging the blasphemous act and was not an eye witness to it, according to police sources.
According to the complaint submitted by Rajinder Singh Sidhu on May 13, 2007 to the Senior Superintendent of Police, the complainant had mentioned the publication of an advertisement in some daily news papers showing the cult leader wearing the auspicious dress of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji and imitating the Guru in all acts.
According to the advocates, who appeared on behalf of the Sacha Sauda leader, the police were not able to produce a charge sheet in the stipulated time.
In addition to having caused sacrilege to Sikh traditions, the cult leader is also thought to be responsible for a row of criminal and fraudulent activities—including murders, abductions and rapes.
