Castration case: Court fixes final dates for evidence, cross-examination

Chandigarh: The trial in the castration case involving the Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and two medicos has entered its last leg, with the special CBI magistrate suggesting five more hearings for the purpose of presenting evidence, and the cross-examinations of witnesses and the complainant. Statements of prosecution and defence witnesses is expected to be completed by March 7, as suggested in the magistrate's orders of proceedings on Jan 29. The court has finalised March 5, 6 and 7 as days for cross-examination. "Summons be issued to PW1 (prosecution witness ie complainant victim) through e-mail for the aforesaid dates. Certified copy of this order be given dasti to Rakesh Kumar Maurya, deputy SP, SCB, Chandigarh, for making necessary correspondence with the Indian embassy/office of consulate general of India, New York, for recording of evidence of PW1," the order by special CBI magistrate Anil Kumar Yadav, accessed by TOI, reads.
The court also expressed concern over delays in evidence, allegedly owing to the non-availability of witnesses on time. "It is pertinent to mention that the aforesaid case is one of the oldest cases of this court and, despite giving repeated oral instructions to learned Sr PP, Naib Court, to ensure the effecting of service of summons well in time and to inform this court at least one day before the date fixed, default is being done by the serving officials; therefore, a separate letter be sent to head of the branch for giving necessary instructions to the serving officials," the order read.The cause of action dates to 2015, when CBI registered a case against the dera head and two medcos, Dr Pankaj Garg and Dr MP Singh, for the alleged castration of followers of Dera Sacha Sauda. In Feb 2018, the CBI had submitted the chargesheet before the special CBI magistrate. So far, the court has held 218 hearings over the past seven years.