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Ram Chander Chhatrapati Murder Case: Punjab & Haryana HC Developments
Timeline of the 2002 murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati, allegedly linked to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, including key court proceedings up to the Punjab and Haryana High Court reserving and resuming verdict hearings in 2025.
Why It Matters
The case highlights delays in high-profile murder trials involving influential figures, challenges to conviction appeals, and the pursuit of justice for journalist killings in India.
Timeline
6 Events
High Court order on resumed hearings
January 30, 2026
Division bench releases order starting re-hearing of appeals.[2]
High Court resumes hearing citing new facts
January 17, 2026
Over four months after reserving verdict, High Court resumes hearings due to emergence of new facts requiring clarification.[2]
High Court reserves verdict after final hearing
September 25, 2025
Punjab and Haryana High Court conducts final hearing on Ram Rahim's appeal and reserves verdict.[2]
CBI court convicts Gurmeet Ram Rahim in the murder case
January 11, 2019
Special CBI court convicts Gurmeet Ram Rahim and others in the murder; he challenges it in Punjab and Haryana High Court.[1][2]
Ram Chander Chhatrapati dies
November 21, 2002
Chhatrapati succumbs to injuries in Apollo Hospital, Delhi.[3]
Journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati shot
October 24, 2002
Two gunmen shot Ram Chander Chhatrapati, founder of a Hindi newspaper, in Sirsa. He named Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh as prime suspect after surgery.[3]