Panchkula, July 19 -- The CBI on Friday informed the court that one of the alleged victims, a prosecution witness, in the castration case could not be traced, preventing the agency from securing his appearance in the trial against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim and two doctors.

The castration case was registered by the CBI, New Delhi, on January 7, 2015, under Sections 120-B, 326, 417 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code against Gurmeet Ram Rahim, Dr Pankaj Garg and Dr MP Singh. According to the prosecution, Ram Rahim, in connivance with doctors, orchestrated the castration of around 400 followers, claiming it would bring them "closer to God".

The agency moved an application, stating that despite efforts by its serving official, t...