Panchkula/Chandigarh: The special CBI court has directed Dera Sacha Sauda Sirsa head Gurmeet Ram Rahim to appear before the court on September 17 in the alleged rape case of two sadhvis (female disciples) at the dera in 2002.

The court ordered him to appear to record his statement on the basis of evidence that has been produced against him by the prosecution.

Special CBI judge Najar Singh issued orders after the prosecution evidence was closed.

A total of 15 witnesses have been cross-examined in the case, including the two sadhvis who were allegedly raped.

Special SBI counsel HPS Verma said the medical examination of the women could not be carried out as they had later married.

Evidence produced by the prosecution includes father of one of the women and other witnesses who support the statement of the sadhvis that they had been raped.

The recording of statement will be taken under Section 313 of Cr PC.

Rape charges were leveled against Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2002 while the CBI filed its chargesheet in 2007.

In 2002, an anonymous letter allegedly sent by one of the sadhvis was sent to the then Prime Minister and Punjab and Haryana High Court which made startling revelations about rapes and sexual harassment going on at the Dera Sirsa.

The CBI was directed to probe and a rape case was registered against the Dera chief who has been till now recording his statement in the case though video-conferencing.

Dera Sirsa chief is not new to controversies. He is facing case of allegedly hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community for donning himself in an attire like tenth master, Guru Gobind Singh and imitating the sacred ritual of amrit sanchar (baptism).

Ram Rahim also faces murder charge of a journalist, Ram Chander Chattarpati and former dera manager Ranjit Singh, for which September 10 has been listed for recording the evidence of the witnesses.

Chattarpati had allegedly exposed the misdeeds of the Dera chief and Ranjit Singh had also protested over Ram Rahim’s conduct.