Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh
Born (1967-08-15) 15 August 1967 (age 57)
Sri Gurusar Modia, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, India
NationalityIndian
Occupations
  • Social group leader
  • spiritual teacher
  • actor
  • filmmaker
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • stuntman[1]
Years active1990–present
OrganizationDera Sacha Sauda
Criminal statusLife imprisonment
SpouseHarjeet Kaur
Children4
Conviction(s)
  • Rape (2 counts)
  • Murder (1 count)
Criminal charge
  • Rape (2 counts)
  • Murder (1 count)
  • Sacrilege
  • Castration
Penalty
  • Rape: 20 years in jail, 10 years for each of the two rape convictions
  • Murder: Life imprisonment
Details
Victims
CountryIndia
Websitewww.saintgurmeetramrahimsinghjiinsan.org

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan (born 15 August 1967), known also as MSG, is the head of the Indian social group Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) since 1990. He is a religious leader, social worker, actor, singer, writer, songwriter, director, and composer. In addition to a 2017 rape conviction,[2] he was also convicted of being involved in the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati.

The Indian Express had placed Ram Rahim 96th in their list of the 100 most powerful Indians of 2015.[3] He has released several music albums and films, which typically revolve around himself and his teachings. Many of these are based on social issues and promotion of God's worship.[4] Singh has also held about a hundred concerts called ‘Ruhani Ru-ba-Ru Nights’.[5] In his films, he is usually credited for various other roles, in one instance being credited in more than forty departments.[6] His films were negatively received by critics, with many considering them propaganda and criticising their poor quality,[7] although the production house claimed that several of them had grossed ₹1 billion.[8]

On 25 August 2017, Ram Rahim was convicted of rape by a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court.[9][10][11][12] His conviction led to widespread violence from members of the DSS[13] and simultaneous clashes with the police, which left several dead and injured. On 28 August 2017, Ram Rahim was sentenced to 20 years in prison.[14] In January 2019, he and three others were convicted of the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati and sentenced to life imprisonment.[15] In October 2021, a special CBI court in Panchkula held Singh and four others guilty of the murder of Ranjit Singh, a former Dera manager.[16] On 28 May 2024 Punjab and Haryana High Court acquitted Gurmeet Ram Rahim and four others in 2002 Ranjit Singh murder case. The Punjab and Haryana High Court allowed an appeal filed by Dera Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim and four others against a CBI court order of 2021.[17] He is also facing prosecution for ordering forced castrations.[18][19][20]

The name MSG is thought to be derived either from the initials of the three DSS heads, Shah Mastana, Shah Satnam, and Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, or as an abbreviation for "Messenger of God".[21]

  1. ^ Arora, Rumani (6 October 2016). "When 'MSG' Gurmeet Ram Rahim did dangerous stunts without body double and defied death". India TV News. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  2. ^ "From Gurmeet Ram Rahim to Radhe Maa: Top 5 controversial 'Gurus' of India". DNA India. 25 August 2017. Archived from the original on 26 August 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. ^ "Indian Express Power List 2015: No. 91-100". The Indian Express. 28 February 2015. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  4. ^ "Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh releases new song while out on parole, video garners 7 million views". India Today. 26 October 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  5. ^ "Who is Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and what is the Dera Sacha Sauda?". Hindustan Times. 23 August 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  6. ^ "MSG The Warrior Lion Heart trailer: Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is back as the superhuman rockstar baba". 7 September 2016. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  7. ^ MSG: The Warrior Lion Heart reviews:
  8. ^ "MSG-The Messenger collecting Rs 100 cr news is false". India TV News. 23 February 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  9. ^ "Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim found guilty of rape, CBI court ruling comes after 14 years". The Times of India. 25 August 2017. Archived from the original on 13 March 2022.
  10. ^ "Ram Rahim Guilty of Rape, 30 Reported Dead As Sect Erupts: 10 Facts". NDTV. 26 August 2017. Archived from the original on 13 March 2022.
  11. ^ "Ram Rahim guilty of rape: What happened through the day". India Today. 25 August 2017.
  12. ^ "Ram Rahim Singh convicted". livemint. 25 August 2017. Archived from the original on 25 August 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  13. ^ "Ram Rahim Singh's supporters riot after rape conviction". Al Jazeera. 25 August 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  14. ^ "India guru rape: Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh jailed for 20 years". BBC News. 28 August 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  15. ^ "Journalist murder case: Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, 3 others awarded life term". The Times of India. 17 January 2019.
  16. ^ "Ranjit Singh murder case: Dera Sacha Sauda head Ram Rahim found guilty". Hindustan Times. 9 October 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  17. ^ Sandhu, Jagpreet Singh (29 May 2024). "Gurmeet Ram Rahim, 4 others acquitted in 2002 Ranjit Singh murder case". The Indian Express. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  18. ^ "Guru Ram Rahim Singh rape verdict draws crowds". BBC. 25 August 2017. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022.
  19. ^ "This Isn't Ram Rahim Singh's First Brush With Court And Controversy". 25 August 2017.
  20. ^ "Gurmeet Ram Rahim: Why is he such a controversial figure?". 23 August 2017.
  21. ^ Chhabra, Aarish (27 August 2017). "Why die for Ram Rahim? Read the MSG in the mayhem". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 10 March 2021.