‘Everyone Has a Right to Parole’: Haryana CM on Ram Rahim’s Plea

Ram Rahim had filed an application for parole for 42 days.

(Photo: Vibhushita Singh/The Quint)

Dera Sacha Sauda chief and rape-murder convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's application for parole to 'tend to his farms' is under process with the Haryana government tilting in its favour.

Speaking on this matter during an interaction with media on Tuesday, 25 June, Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar said that every prisoner has the right to parole under the ambit of law.

"There are certain legal procedures and a person who has the right to seek parole can seek it. We can't stop anyone. As of now, no decision has been taken on Ram Rahim's parole," he said.

In August of 2017, the Dera chief was sentenced to 20 years in jail for raping two women. A special CBI court in Panchkula had in January this year also sentenced him and three others to life imprisonment for the murder of a journalist over 16 years ago.

The 51-year-old is currently lodged at Sunaria jail in Rohtak and has sought 42 days parole.

Ram Rahim’s Conduct Has Been ‘Good’, Says Jail Superintendent

In a letter dated 18 June, state officials sought a report whether releasing Ram Rahim on parole would be feasible or not. In the communique, the jail superintendent mentioned that Singh's conduct in the jail has been good and he has not violated any rule.

The district administration was asked to submit a report to the commissioner, Rohtak Division, with a copy marked to the jail superintendent.

Thereafter, Sirsa Police approached the Revenue Department to ascertain how much land the Dera chief owns.

Govt Considering Ram Rahim’s Parole Because It’s Election Year in Haryana, Says Twitter

Meanwhile, several on Twitter pointed that the Haryana government’s move to consider granting Ram Rahim parole comes ahead of the Assembly elections in the state.

However, Haryana jail minister KL Panwar contradicted this saying that the move should not be linked to the elections. He said that if the government had such an intention, it would have released him before Lok Sabha elections.

Panwar also told news agency ANI that all convicts are entitled to parole after two years.

“If a convict has good conduct in jail, it's mentioned by the superintendent in his report to local police. It goes to commissioner after verification, and he takes the final cal,” Panwar added.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)