A special Central Bureu of Investigation (CBI) in Panchkula on Friday granted bail to self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim in the castration case against him. However, the rape convict Dera Sacha Sauda head will remain in jail.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim is serving 20-year jail sentence for raping two of his disciples inside sprawling Dera campus in Hisar in 2002.
Ram Rahim, 50, was found guilty of rape in a case that stemmed from an anonymous written complaint in April 2002 that he had sexually exploited two female followers. The case was registered by the CBI in December 2002 on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The CBI filed the chargesheet against the Dera head in Ambala court in July 2007. The chargesheet mentions sexual exploitation of two 'Sadhvis' (women followers) between 1999 and 2001.
His conviction by a Panchkula court in August last year had triggered massive violence in Haryana and neighbouring states. At least 40 people were killed and scores injured and property worth crores were vandalised by Gurmeet Ram Rahim's followers.
(With inputs from agencies)