Ranjit Singh murder: Defence’s reluctance to address final arguments incomprehensible, says court

Bhartesh Singh Thakur
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 27

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Observing that the lawyers representing Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and other accused were not interested in addressing final arguments in more than 18-year-old Ranjit Singh murder case, CBI Special Judge Jagdeep Singh said that the “court cannot turn a blind eye to vexations or oppressive conduct”.

“It is a settled law that a speedy trial is not an exclusive right of accused, but also a right of the victim and it will be a grave mistake to assume that delay in the trial doesn’t cause acute suffering and anguish to the victims of the offence,” said the CBI judge.

The judge made the comments when an application was moved on behalf of Dera chief for adjourning the case for four weeks as it was claimed that his lawyer PK Sandhir was not well.

“When the process of the court is abused at the drop of a hat, there is a miscarriage of justice, and justice, the queen of all virtues, sheds tears,” said the order.

Former Dera manager Ranjit Singh was murdered in 2002. The CBI registered the FIR in 2003 and charges were framed in 2007-2008. Since then the trial has been going on. According to the CBI chargesheet, Dera chief had thought that Ranjit Singh, former Dera manager and a resident of Kurukshetra, was behind the circulation of an anonymous letter alleging sexual exploitation of female followers in Dera and hatched a conspiracy to kill him.

Along with Dera chief, Krishan Lal, Jasbir, Avtaar, and Sabdil are accused in the case. Another accused Indersain had died last year. It is one of the oldest pending murder cases of Haryana.

The court noted that part arguments on behalf of defense have already been addressed and “reluctance of defense counsel to address the final remaining arguments in this matter is beyond comprehension”, while commenting that it was the duty of the defence counsel to assist the court.

CBI Special Public Prosecutor HPS Verma submitted that no accused should be allowed to ride roughshod over the court proceedings. He mentioned that one of the defence counsels had been appearing in other cases and not advancing arguments was not appreciable.

While adjourning the matter to February 3, the CBI judge said that in case defence counsels “are not interested to come to court to address arguments”, then they “are granted an opportunity to submit written submissions”.