Rape convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, currently serving a 20-year sentence for the rape of two women disciples, has been granted a 50-day parole, marking the fourth time in the past year. The controversial Dera chief, with a significant following in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, was previously released on a 21-day parole in November 2023.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, 56, faced 20-year imprisonment in 2017 for the sexual assault of two disciples and received life sentences in two murder cases involving journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati and Dera Manager Ranjit Singh in 2002. Another conviction in 2021 implicated him in a conspiracy to murder Ranjit Singh. In 2019, the Dera chief and three others were found guilty of the journalist’s murder over 16 years ago.
The Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022, allows for the regular parole of convicted prisoners. However, individuals convicted of multiple murders or under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act are excluded from parole eligibility.
Ram Rahim Singh’s frequent paroles have stirred controversy, with the Dera chief granted temporary releases on multiple occasions in 2022 by the ruling BJP in Haryana. His paroles coincided with various political events, including panchayat polls, leading to criticism from the opposition.
Underlining his influence, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s parole requests often cite personal reasons, such as visiting his ailing mother. Despite his incarceration, the controversial figure’s parole instances have sparked debates on the eligibility criteria and the possible political motivations behind the decisions.
The repeated grants of parole to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh raise questions about the legal and ethical aspects of releasing a high-profile convict. The public and political responses to these decisions underscore the complexities involved in balancing legal processes and the demands of justice with public sentiment and potential political repercussions.
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