Court finds conspiracy charge against Baba Gurmeet Singh unproven due to unreliable witness testimony, while confirming life imprisonment for three others involved in the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati.
In a significant judgment delivered on March 7, 2026, the Punjab and Haryana High Court, in a Division Bench verdict, acquitted Baba Gurmeet Singh (also known as Maharaj Gurmeet Singh and Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh) from the charge of criminal conspiracy to murder journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati. However, the Court upheld the life imprisonment sentences awarded to three co-accused - Kuldeep Singh, Nirmal Singh, and Krishan Lal — for the murder carried out with a licensed revolver.
The case originated from the fatal shooting of Ram Chander Chhatrapati, editor of the newspaper 'Pura Sach', on October 24, 2002, in Sirsa, Haryana. Ram Chander was targeted allegedly for publishing critical articles against Baba Gurmeet Singh and the Dera Sacha Sauda. He succumbed to his injuries on November 21, 2002.
The prosecution, led by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), charged Baba Gurmeet Singh (A1), Kuldeep Singh (A2), Nirmal Singh (A3), and Krishan Lal (A4) with murder, conspiracy, and arms violations. A4 expired during the appeal proceedings, with his legal representatives continuing the defense.
Evidence presented at trial included eyewitness accounts from the deceased's sons, Anshul and Aridaman Chhatrapati, who identified A2 and A3 as the assailants. The licensed revolver used in the crime belonged to A4, who could not satisfactorily explain how it fell into the hands of the shooters. The Court found the testimony of these eyewitnesses consistent and reliable, rejecting minor discrepancies as insignificant.
Significantly, the charge of conspiracy against Baba Gurmeet Singh rested solely on the testimony of PW31-Khatta Singh, a former driver of the accused. The witness’s statements were inconsistent, initially denying involvement, later turning hostile, and claiming coercion and threats. The Court observed that the Central Bureau of Investigation failed to produce critical corroborative evidence, including a key statement recorded by SI Ram Chander, who was not examined at trial.
The High Court analyzed the principles of criminal conspiracy, emphasizing that such a charge requires proof beyond reasonable doubt with a cogent chain of circumstantial evidence. The solitary and unreliable testimony of Khatta Singh did not meet this threshold. Furthermore, the Court highlighted procedural lapses and defective investigation aspects but held that these did not fatally undermine the prosecution’s core case against the three convicted accused.
Consequently, the High Court dismissed the appeals of Kuldeep Singh, Nirmal Singh, and Krishan Lal, affirming their convictions and life sentences. However, the appeal of Baba Gurmeet Singh was allowed, setting aside his conviction and acquitting him of all charges related to the conspiracy.
This judgment underscores the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring convictions are based on credible and corroborated evidence, especially in cases involving criminal conspiracy where direct proof is often elusive. It also reflects the importance of fair investigation and trial procedures, including examination of all relevant witnesses.
Bottom Line:
Conviction of co-accused upheld for murder and conspiracy, but acquittal of Baba Gurmeet Singh (A1) on grounds of unreliable conspiracy witness and lack of corroborative evidence.
Statutory provision(s): Indian Penal Code Sections 302, 120B; Arms Act Sections 25, 27, 29; Criminal Procedure Code Sections 161, 164, 173, 313, 386; Indian Evidence Act Sections 8, 10
