Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court admitted the appeal filed by the accused convicted in two rape cases Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, Dera Sacha Sauda. However, the court refused to accept the petition of Dera chief’s Plea to stay on payment of Rs. 30 Lakhs, as a penalty to be paid to the surviving of rape victims.
The court also admits the petitioned of two female disciples of the Dera chief to convert his 20-year sentence to the life imprisonment. In its petition to increase the punishment, both Sadhvi requested that the special CBI court has not imposed a maximum sentence of imprisonment for such a heinous crime.
In his petition, Gurmeet expressed his inability to pay Rs. 30 Lakh compensation, he said that he has abandoned the world and is not in a position to pay the amount. He also argued that the properties of the Dera and bank accounts were added. Raising both the appeals, HC issued a notice to the CBI, who investigated the allegations.
