Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Court Acquits 27 Dera Followers in 2017 Police Attack Case
A court in Haryana considered a case involving Dera Sacha Sauda followers.
Police said a large group attacked officers in 2017.
They alleged that people fired weapons, threw petrol bottles and damaged vehicles.
Some police officers and a villager were reportedly hurt.
The case went to trial, where prosecutors presented 38 witnesses.
The judge decided that the evidence did not clearly prove the accusations against these 27 people.
Because of this, the court acquitted them by giving them the benefit of doubt.
Three other accused people died before the trial ended.
A Kaithal court acquitted 27 Dera Sacha Sauda followers in the 2017 case.
The prosecution alleged attacks, firing and petrol-bottle attacks on police vehicles.
Police said several officers and villager Ram Niwas were injured.
The prosecution examined 38 witnesses during the trial.
Judge Kanchan Mahi cited failure to prove allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
- Who
- Twenty-seven Dera Sacha Sauda followers were acquitted; the case involved police personnel, villagers and three other accused who died during the trial.
- What
- A court acquitted the 27 accused in a case alleging an attack on police, firing and vandalism of government vehicles.
- When
- The alleged incident occurred on August 25, 2017; the verdict date is not stated.
- Where
- The incident involved Kotda village and Rajaund village in Haryana’s Kaithal district.
- Why
- The court found that the complainant, witnesses and eyewitnesses had not established the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
Prosecution allegations
Court’s finding
Attack on police
Prosecution allegations
The prosecution alleged that the gathering attacked police personnel, opened fire and threw petrol bottles at police vehicles.
Court’s finding
The court concluded that the complainant, witnesses and eyewitnesses failed to establish the allegations against the accused beyond reasonable doubt.
Weapons and injuries
Prosecution allegations
Police alleged that members of the group carried weapons and attacked officers with swords, gandasas and sticks; several policemen and villager Ram Niwas were reportedly injured.
Court’s finding
The court acquitted all 27 accused by extending the benefit of doubt.
Property damage
Prosecution allegations
The prosecution further alleged that the mob set fire to property at the Rajaund power house and vandalised government vehicles.
Court’s finding
The judgment did not find the evidence sufficient to prove the accusations against the accused.
- Accused acquitted
- 27
- Other accused
- Mahipal, Rajesh and Ramphal died during the trial.
- Incident date
- August 25, 2017
- Reported gathering
- The prosecution alleged that around 60 to 70 people were present at a dera in Kotda village.
- Witnesses examined
- 38 prosecution witnesses
- Presiding judge
- Kaithal Sessions Judge Kanchan Mahi
- Verdict basis
- Benefit of doubt because the allegations were not proved beyond reasonable doubt.