The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for alleged forced castration of nearly 400 devotees at his ashram in Sirsa in Haryana.
“On the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, we have registered a case under Sections 120-B [conspiracy], 417 [cheating], 326 [voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons] and 506 [criminal intimidation] of the Indian Penal Code,” CBI spokesperson Kanchan Prasad said.
The High Court issued the directions on a petition filed by Hansraj Chauhan, a former follower of Ram Rahim, demanding a CBI investigation and compensation for castration in 2000.
The petitioner alleged that apart from him, at least 400 devotees belonging to various States were castrated on the false promise that it would lead to realisation of God through Ram Rahim.
The Dera chief is already facing trial for the murder of a journalist and sexual exploitation of women disciples.
While Mr. Chauhan’s medical examination established that he had been castrated, a State government report submitted to the High Court recorded statements of seven other followers confirming that they had also been castrated.
Punjab and Haryana High Court had issued the directions on a petition filed by a former follower of Ram Rahim
