CBI judge sentences Ram Rahim Singh to 20 years imprisonment

Baba Ram Rahim Singh, who was earlier this week convicted of raping two women in 2002, has been sentenced to twenty years’ imprisonment..The sentence was pronounced by Special CBI judge Jagdeep Singh, who had earlier passed the verdict convicting Ram Rahim Singh..The court sentenced him to 10 years rigorous imprisonment along with Rs. 15 lakh fine for rape of each of the two victims. These two sentences will run consecutively..Thus, he will have to undergo twenty years imprisonment. Besides, he has also been awarded two years rigorous imprisonment along with fine of Rs. 10,000 (with respect to the both the victims) under Section 506 of the Indian Penal Code which prescribes punishment for criminal intimidation. This sentence, it is understood, will run concurrently with the sentence under Section 376..Hence, he will have to pay a total fine of Rs. 30,20,000..Friday’s verdict sparked pandemonium in Panchkula, with the death toll rising to around 38. In addition to this, hundreds of people were injured and property damage amounting to crores of rupees was caused by supporters of the Dera Sacha Sauda, an organisation headed by Ram Rahim Singh..In reaction to this, the Punjab & Haryana High Court directed that the properties of the organisation be attached so as to set off the damage caused by the violent mob. The Court had held,.“It is made clear that whosoever has been instigating and inciting the crowd that has gathered to commit these acts of arson and violence, they would be sternly dealt with. The damages that are caused to public and private properties shall be recovered from them. Respondent No.7 – Dera Sacha Sauda shall submit a list of its assets and properties which can be attached in case it is found that they and their followers are responsible for the said acts. All Judicial Officers at Panchkula shall forthwith be provided security by Para Military Forces round the clock.”.To prevent a repeat of the situation, the Special judge has been flown to Rohtak’s Sonaria jail, where Singh has been kept in custody..An earlier version of the story wrongly mentioned the period of sentence as 10 years. Error regretted. .Read the sentencing order:.HT to Paras Nath Singh .Image taken from here. .Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.