Supreme Court Halts Proceedings Against Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015 Bargari Sacrilege Case

The Supreme Court has given a big blow to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in the 9-year-old sacrilege case. The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the proceedings against Ram Rahim by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

In 2015, incidents like the theft of a 'bir' (copy) of Guru Granth Sahib, the putting up of posters related to the desecration of holy texts and finding torn pages of the holy text scattered in Bargari took place in Faridkot, Punjab. Due to these incidents, protests took place in Faridkot. In October 2015, two people were killed in police firing on protesters in Behbal Kalan, while some people were injured in Kotkapura, Faridkot.

The Bargari sacrilege case was later linked to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the controversial head of Dera Sacha Sauda. Several Sikh groups had accused Ram Rahim of being behind the sacrilege, although no direct, conclusive link has been proven in court yet.

During the investigation of the sacrilege cases, some people allegedly linked to Dera Sacha Sauda were arrested. Some witnesses and investigation reports pointed to the involvement of Dera followers in plotting the sacrilege, further raising suspicions about Ram Rahim's involvement.

The issue became politically heated in Punjab. Different political parties accused each other of protecting the Dera or not properly investigating the case. The sacrilege issue, as well as police firing on protesters in Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura, became major election issues in Punjab.