Technology Sacha Sauda leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim is serving a life sentence in Haryana. He becomes convicted in cases of rape in August 2017 and murder in January this 12 months. Sentenced for two decades in jail for raping two of his female devotees, Ram Rahim has now sought parole for forty-two days. Known for his flamboyance and political connections, the timing of Ram Rahim’s appeal for parole is full-size. Haryana is scheduled to select a brand new government round in October.
This yr. Ram Rahim had announced aid for the BJP in the 2014 Lok Sabha election additionally at some point of the meeting polls later that year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had praised Ram Rahim, who claimed to have extra than five crore followers, more often than not coming from the Dalit network. Now, the Haryana government – going by using the statements of Chief Minister ML Khattar and his ministers, Krishna Pawar, and Anil Vij – seems to favor the release of Ram Rahim on parole.
Grounds of parole
- Under the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 1988, the national authorities can release a prisoner on parole or furlough in certain cases –
- if a member of his family has died or is critically sick
- for marriage in the instant circle of relatives or of a close relative
- for creation of residence
- for agricultural interest
- for every other enough cause if the national authorities are glad.
While dying, clinical emergency and marriage are common grounds in almost all states, Haryana has a unique provision for granting parole to a convict or an undertrial in custody for agricultural activities. On this floor, Ram Rahim has sought parole – to look after his fields in Sirsa district.
Here’s a catch
Ram Rahim’s Dera Sacha Sauda is based totally in Sirsa, in which his sect owns around 250 acres of agricultural land. Reports, however, suggest that Ram Rahim does not very own any land of his personal. All lands are owned via the Dera Sacha Sauda Trust, and Ram Rahim stays its leader. Under the regulation in Haryana, a prisoner may be launched on parole for plowing, sowing or harvesting, or sporting on every other agricultural operation of his land or his father’s undivided land in possession of the prisoner. Going strictly using the wordings of the regulation, Ram Rahim’s case seems like a negation of the 1988 Act, but the choice lies with the kingdom government as to the way to interpret the possession. The regulation stress that the state authorities must be glad about the cause for which parole is being sought.
With the government inclined, Ram Rahim can be released on parole. The jail superintendent has already forwarded beneficial advice to the district magistrate. The recommendation says that Ram Rahim’s behavior inside the prison has been true, and he has not violated any rule throughout his incarceration. Parole is generally granted for 2 to six weeks – a most of 42 days, a length for which Ram Rahim has requested leave from jail.
Ram Rahim is in prison for
Ram Rahim is lodged in Sunaria prison in Haryana’s Rohtak district following his conviction in two rape instances and a murder case of a journalist. The fifty one-year-antique Dera Sacha Sauda chief is also facing trial in the homicide case of a Dera follower, Ranjit Singh. He is likewise booked in a case related to the castration of sect followers.
In August 2017, Ram Rahim changed into provided an existing sentence of 20 years for raping ladies who had been his devotees and stayed on his sect’s campus. His supporters had resorted to violence in Panchkula and Sira following his conviction years ago. More than forty people had died in the two districts, and plenty of others had been injured.
In January this yr, Ram Rahim became located responsible for a case of murder of a journalist, who become killed sixteen years ago. A special CBI court in Panchkula sentenced Ram Rahim and 3 others to existence imprisonment for the homicide.
What’s subsequent?
Responding to the parole utility through Ram Rahim, Haryana CM Khattar said a parole software is filed earlier than the prison superintendent who forwards it to the deputy commissioner worried. Then a record is sought from the superintendent of police, and, ultimately, a recommendation is made by way of the divisional commissioner.
He stated the parole problem changed with the DC-SP degree, and there was no time frame when the Sirsa SP or DC could post their document. Things will move forward after a record is submitted, Khattar said before, more importantly, including that his authorities could make a factor regarding law and order if wanted.