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Whistleblower in castration case against Ram Rahim allowed to depose via video from US

Special court allows cross-examination of key witness through video conferencing, says travel from US would cause 'extreme hardship'

3 min readChandigarhAug 2, 2025 09:12 PM IST

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh castration case, Dera Sacha Sauda forced castration, Panchkula CBI court video conferencing,

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. (File photo)

A special CBI court in Panchkula has allowed the cross-examination of a key witness in the alleged forcible castration case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh to be conducted via video conferencing, observing that travel from the United States would cause “extreme inconvenience” and involve “huge expenses”.

The witness, who is also the complainant and a whistleblower in the case, is currently residing in the US. He had moved an application citing security concerns and logistical challenges in appearing physically. His request was opposed by the accused, who argued that the application was not maintainable and could prejudice his right to a fair trial.

However, Special Judicial Magistrate Anil Kumar Yadav, in an order passed Friday, said, “The present application… for permitting him to get his testimony recorded through Video Conferencing… deserves to be allowed… on the ground of long distance of more than 13,000 kms, on the ground of huge travelling expenses… and extreme inconvenience”

The complainant has alleged that he was among 400 sadhus who were forcibly castrated by Ram Rahim with the help of doctors “in the name of realization of God”. His petition to the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2012 had led to a CBI probe and subsequent charges against Ram Rahim and two others.

The court rejected the defence’s contention that the application should have been moved by the prosecution, stating: “Even the witness does have right to move such application… in view of the case laws relied upon.”

The defence had also accused the witness of using the application as a means to secure asylum in the US and argued that he had earlier deposed without raising safety concerns. The court dismissed this as “not tenable”, noting, “Whether (the applicant) is eligible for asylum or not in USA is a matter to be decided by the US authorities.”

Noting that “courts should adopt a pragmatic approach to facilitate dispensation of justice”, the court observed, “In all cases relied upon… there has been consistent view… that… the facility of Video Conferencing should be allowed… not even a single case… has been denied… by Hon’ble Punjab & Haryana High Court or… Supreme Court of India.”

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To facilitate the cross-examination, the court directed the CBI’s investigating officer to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Consulate in the US “to ensure availability of a secure place” for deposition. The court also asked the CBI to provide a document visualizer and equipment to preserve the audio-visual testimony.

The court clarified that the defence will have to submit documents to be used during cross-examination one day in advance and prepare their questionnaires beforehand, in line with the procedure laid down by the High Court in Parminder Singh vs Sukhminder Singh.

“Inconvenience caused to the defence counsel in putting the documents… pales in comparison to the inconvenience caused to the witness in coming from USA… incurring huge traveling expenses,” the court said.

The next date of hearing will be fixed after coordination with the Indian Consulate, the order said.

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More

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