The Supreme Court has cleared the way for the trial of rape convict and self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in cases linked to the 2015 Bargari sacrilege cases. The sacrilege case in question involves the disappearance and alleged desecration of the revered Guru Granth Sahib in 2015 in the Bargari area of Punjab's Faridkot district.
The incident caused outrage among the members of the Sikh community.
On Thursday, the apex court lifted a stay by the High Court that had stalled the prosecution of the Dera Sacha Sauda chief in three sacrilege cases involving the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhs, reported NDTV.
The three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justices BR. Gavai and KV Viswanathan, also issued a notice to Ram Rahim, requiring his response within four weeks.
The self-styled godman is already serving a 20-year sentence for rape and has also been convicted of murder.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court had stayed the proceedings earlier this year against Ram Rahim in the three sacrilege caeses, halting any probe or trial. The ruling, which came in March was challenged by Punjab government, which brought the matter before the Supreme Court.
Earlier this month, Ram Rahim was granted parole ahead of the Haryana assembly elections. This was his 15th parole in the last four years drawing ire of the opposition Congress. Notably, Ram Rahim, who enjoys the status of a cult leader with lakhs of followers exerts significant political influence which translates into votes during elections.
His influence extends to the Ambala, Kurukshetra, and Hisar districts, which account for a total of 36 of the 90 assembly seats.
However, he was barred by the Election Commission from staying in Haryana. The poll panel set stringent terms for granting parole to the rape convict, including a ban on his entry into then poll-bound Haryana, delivering public speeches and indulging in political activity.