More trouble awaits Ram Rahim Singh

It's just the beginning of trouble for convicted Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

The sect head is facing trial in the CBI court in Panchkula for the murder of a Sirsa-based journalist, Chatterpati, in 2002.

The journalist was allegedly killed for reporting the illegal activities inside the Dera. The victim's son Ansul said Monday's sentencing is a tribute to his father while adding that he hopes justice will be done in his father's murder case as well.

Ram Rahim is an accused in the murder case of Dera manager Ranjit Singh. Ranjit Singh was killed in July 2002 after he preferred to move away from the sect.

Ranjit Singh was suspected to have circulated anonymous letters that alleged sexual harassment of 'sadhvis' inside the Dera. This is believed to have led to his murder.

The two cases will come up for a hearing next month. The trial is in the final stages.

Ram Rahim also faces charges of castrating his followers. In December 2014, the Punjab and Haryana High court ordered the CBI to probe the charges. The CBI is pursuing the case where about 400-odd followers of the sect were allegedly castrated inside the Dera. This case will come up for hearing in October.

Ram Rahim faces a boycott from Sikhs in Punjab. He courted controversy in 2007 after he dressed up like Sikh guru Guru Gobind Singh. The police have registered a case. There have been massive protests against the Dera chief in Punjab.