The special judicial magistrate of CBI court Anil Kumar Yadav, on Saturday allowed the application of a complainant in the Dera Sacha Sauda castration case, permitting his cross-examination through video conferencing from the United States. Gurmeet Ram Rahim, the main accused in the case, had previously objected to this application.

The court allowed the application for cross-examination via VC, subject to the witness’s cooperation and stringent safeguards to be implemented by the prosecution. This includes coordinating with officials of the Indian Consulate in the USA to maintain the integrity of the deposition. The CBI’s investigating officer is directed to approach the ministry of external affairs for assistance from the Indian Consulate in the USA to ensure a secure place for recording evidence at a predetermined time, in compliance with high court rules.

The New Delhi CBI had registered this case under Sections 120-B, 326, 417, and 506 of the IPC on January 7, 2015. The complainant had moved an application in the CBI special court, seeking permission for his cross-examination to be recorded via video conferencing (VC). His counsel argued that as a material witness and the whistleblower in this case, he is currently residing in the USA.

Given the substantial “clout” enjoyed by Gurmeet Ram Rahim, the applicant expressed a reasonable apprehension of danger to his life if he were to appear physically in court for his testimony from the USA. The complainant also cited the...

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