# Supreme Court admits plea against Ram Rahim acquittal in journalist murder

2026-08-10T21:22:02+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

The Supreme Court on Monday admitted a petition challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Court's acquittal of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in the 2002 murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant said the matter required consideration, noting it was a reversal of conviction by the trial court, not an acquittal affirmed by the High Court. The court rejected objections by Ram Rahim's counsel that the state had not appealed. It requested trial court records, including witness statements, and posted final hearing for November. Ram Rahim, convicted in 2019 for conspiracy in the murder, is serving a 20-year sentence for rape of two disciples. The journalist was shot dead in Sirsa after his newspaper published an anonymous letter alleging sexual exploitation at the Dera.

## Coverage

- timesofindia.indiatimes.com <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ram-rahims-acquittal-in-journalist-murder-case-needs-consideration-supreme-court/articleshow/133135933.cms>
- timesnownews.com <https://www.timesnownews.com/india/sc-to-hear-plea-challenging-hc-order-acquitting-gurmeet-ram-rahim-singh-in-2002-murder-case-article-155553136>

Tags: acquittal, Dera Sacha Sauda, Gurmeet Ram Rahim, journalist murder, Ram Chander Chhatrapati, Supreme Court
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