Investigating agency’s teamwork led to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s conviction: Investigating Officer

Chandigarh, October 8

It was the labour of about 15 years for former CBI SP Satish Dagar, one of the investigating officers in cases against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, which bore fruit today.

He headed the investigation team in the rape case, while remained as one of the investigating officers in the Ram Chander Chhatrapati and Dera follower murder cases.

Ram Rahim tried to influence case

The dera head remained deceptive and even tried to use influence like any other criminal. Satish Dagar, CBI Ex-SP

The rape and Ram Chander Chhatrapati cases had ended in conviction too, while all accused, including Ram Rahim, were held guilty in the Dera follower’s murder case today. He was among the officers who interrogated Ram Rahim for three hours. “He remained deceptive and even tried to use influence like any other criminal,” said Dagar.

On Ram Rahim’s conviction today, Dagar said, “I would have been very happy had the dera follower’s father been alive today. His only son was murdered. His daughter was raped. The trial should have been carried out faster.”

On convincing witnesses against mighty Ram Rahim, Dagar said, “We gave them assurances that if they speak the truth, the law would protect them. Earlier, they were not sure about the outcome even if they cooperated. A number of them, including Khatta Singh, were provided security.”

In the rape case, he said there were more victims but only two came forward. One of them was Dera follower’s sister.

On pressure on him during the probe, he said he was not the one who could be influenced. “I want to thank my seniors, including the then director Ashwani Kumar, special director ML Sharma, SSP Satpal Singh and Inspector Rajesh Khajuria. CBI counsels HPS Verma and VK Sharma did hard work. It was the teamwork that led to his conviction in all cases.” — TNS

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