:dateline:The Punjab & Haryana High Court on October 24 rejected the plea moved by Sirsa Cult Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim seeking copies of the statements given by two rape victims against him. �These statements were recorded in 2003 by the CBI investigation officer KL Raina against the Sacha Sauda cult leader. �The High Court dismissed the petition at the first instance of consideration even without issuing notice to the investigating agency (CBI) in the case.
Notably, the CBI’s Special Court on October 18 had also rejected the Sirsa Cult Chief’s plea seeking copies of statements of rape victims. The CBI lawyer had told the Court on October 18 that the Sirsa Cult Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim was�purposely making unnecessary requests just to delay the verdict in the case.
He also�told the Court that the Sirsa Cult Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim had earlier also pleaded before the Punjab & Haryana High Court and the Supreme Court of India but even the Apex Court had denied sharing of victims’ statements.
The CBI Special Court had deferred the next hearing of the case onto October 26 but the Sirsa Cult Chief moved to Punjab & Haryana High Court before October 26.
