Supreme Court Lifts Stay on Dera Chief's Trial

The Supreme Court has lifted a stay imposed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on trial proceedings against Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the head of Dera Sacha Sauda, in three sacrilege cases from 2015 involving the alleged desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib. This decision was made in response to an appeal from the Punjab government challenging the High Court's earlier ruling that halted the trial. The Supreme Court bench, consisting of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan, has issued a notice to Singh, requiring his response within four weeks. Singh is currently serving a 20-year sentence for rape and has been convicted of murder. The controversies surrounding the sacrilege cases have incited significant unrest within the Sikh community, with implications of Dera supporters' involvement in the incidents. This ruling marks a significant step towards resuming legal proceedings against Singh in connection with these serious allegations.