After 15 grueling years of legal battle, 27 Sikh youth accused of rioting in 2008 have been acquitted by the Sessions Court in Mumbai, bringing much-needed relief to the accused and the Sikh community at large. Singh Sabha Mumbai Dadar was at the forefront of providing legal assistance and support to the accused and their families.  Sessions Court Mumbai Judge U. C. Deshmukh’s landmark decision was based on the lack of evidence against the accused. WSN Reports.

In June 2008, pseudo-saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim made an appearance at the Nirmal Lifestyle Mall in Mumbai’s eastern suburb of Mulund. Outraged by Ram Rahim’s blasphemous impersonation of Guru Gobind Singh, the revered 10th Sikh Guru, a large group of Sikh youth gathered in protest. The event took a deadly turn when one of Ram Rahim’s personal gunmen shot and killed Balkar Singh, a transporter from Mulund.

The repercussions of this act led to the police accusing 27 Sikh youth of rioting. Although they obtained bail within seven days thanks to the intervention of Singh Sabha Mumbai Dadar, they have been attending court hearings ever since.

From the beginning, Singh Sabha Mumbai Dadar has provided full legal support to the accused and their families.  Late Tara Singh, MLA from Mumbai had also intervened on their behalf with the government of Maharashtra. Advocate Saveena Kaur Bedi has been applauded for her role in representing the accused since 2019 effectively.

Speaking to World Sikh News, Singh Sabha President Manmohan Singh said, “With the Grace of God, the bad name brought upon the community of rioting has been obliterated with this judgment. It is a big relief. I thank the Sangat for their support.”

Balkar Singh, who was killed by a gunman of pseudo-saint Ram RahimDespite the relief felt over the recent acquittal, the case has also highlighted the prolonged struggle of Balkar Singh’s family for justice. In 2011, a case against 14 bodyguards of Ram Rahim resulted in acquittal due to lack of evidence. The state’s appeal in the Bombay High Court was subsequently rejected, leaving the family in a state of continued sorrow.

It may be mentioned that the Mumbai Police did a shoddy job in prosecuting the gunman as the prosecution case, especially the part relating to ballistic records was not appropriately presented to the court.

Moreover, the failure of the Maharashtra government to act against Ram Rahim remains a point of discontent for the Sikh community. However, it’s noted that Ram Rahim is currently serving time in jail for double rape and double murder.

The acquittal comes as a sensitive point for religious communities around the globe grappling with issues related to blasphemy.

The acquittal comes as a sensitive point for religious communities around the globe grappling with issues related to blasphemy. In a world increasingly polarized along religious lines, this case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of understanding and respecting religious sensibilities.

The verdict, therefore, not only exonerates the accused but also brings to the fore the challenges surrounding the issue of blasphemy, particularly how it can lead to social unrest. The relief felt by the Sikh community extends beyond Mumbai and resonates with Sikhs globally.

For the Sikh community in Mumbai and beyond, the acquittal serves as a moment to reflect upon the complex interplay between religion, law, and social justice.