CHANDIGARH: Just four days ahead of the Haryana polls, the state’s BJP govt on Tuesday granted a 20-day parole to Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
However, according to the parole conditions, Ram Rahim can only stay at Dera’s ashram in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, during the parole period. Besides, he is barred from any election-related activity.
Ram Rahim had applied for the parole on Saturday, within a month of returning to Rohtak jail after completion of his previous furlough.Haryana’s chief electoral officer (CEO) sought an explanation from the state govt on Sunday on the “compelling circumstances” for granting parole when the model code of conduct was in force. On Monday, the CEO said the state govt is at liberty to take a call on this matter.
After getting Haryana chief secretary’s clearance on Tuesday, additional chief secretary (home) Anurag Rastogi sent the parole-related file to DGP (prisons) Muhammad Akil for action, sources said. Once the administrative process is completed with the prisons department getting the required verification done at Baghpat, the Dera chief, who is lodged in Rohtak’s Sunaria jail, can avail his parole, a senior official privy to the development said.
Amid the flurry of files, Congress on Tuesday shot off another complaint to EC and Haryana CEO against the parole, saying the rape-murder convict’s release so close to the polls could influence voters and amounted to a violation of the model code.
State Congress leader lodged a formal complaint with the poll panel. “Ram Ram may influence voters as he has a mass following as a religious preacher and his past record is well known,” said K C Bhatia, who heads state Congress’ legal cell.
Ram Rahim has also been released in the past close to elections. He has been incarcerated since Aug 2017. On Aug 25, 2017, a CBI court in Panchkula convicted him of raping female followers and sentenced him to 20 years in jail. He is also serving time for the murder of a journalist.