The Punjab Haryana High Court on Tuesday acquitted Sirsa Dera Sacha Sauda chief and self-styled godman Gurmit Singh Ram Rahim in the murder case related to  Ranjit Singh.

Ranjit Singh, who was a member of the Dera's state-level committee, was shot dead in 2002.

He was allegedly killed after it was suspected that Ranjit Singh was the man behind leaking a letter in which it was narrated how women were being sexually exploited by the Dera chief.

According to media reports, the court gave its order on the appeal of Dera chief challenging the October 2021 verdict by the special CBI Court in Panchkula.

The self-styled godman and four others were previously awarded life imprisonment.

Gurmit Singh Ram Rahim is currently lodged in Rohtak's Sunaria Jail.

He was also convicted in Sadhvi rape cases and journalist Ram Chander Chattrapati murder case.

Appeals in those cases are currently pending.