Panchkula, Sept. 7 -- Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim once again exempted from appearing before the CBI court in Panchkula in the castration case on Friday. Earlier, he had also skipped the hearing on August 14. However, co-accused, Dr MP Singh and Dr Pankaj Garg, who are on bail, were present in court.

An application for exemption from personal appearance was moved by Gurmeet Ram Rahim's counsel, who informed the court that the accused had been temporarily released on parole for 40 days from August 4. His movement, however, is restricted by the competent authority, making it impossible for him to attend the hearing. The counsel clarified that his absence was not deliberate and that he had no objection if proceedings were record...