New Delhi: The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Haryana has asked the state government to explain the "compelling circumstances" behind the temporary release of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, leader of Dera Sacha Sauda, for 20 days, just before the upcoming Assembly elections.
Ram Rahim is currently serving a 20-year sentence for raping two of his followers and for the murder of a journalist. He has applied for parole again, with the request coming right before the Haryana Assembly elections on October 5.
Also Read
This request for parole has raised alarms due to its timing, leading the jail administration to send the application to the Election Commission (EC). In response, the CEO has asked the prisons department for clarification on the “compelling reasons” for the parole, as per EC guidelines.
According to an EC directive from April 2019, parole should only be granted in "extreme emergency" situations. Additionally, strict measures must be taken to ensure that the individual does not participate in any election-related activities while on parole.
Ram Rahim was last granted a 21-day furlough on August 13, 2024, marking the tenth time he has been temporarily released in four years. This year alone, he has been on parole for a total of 50 days. The Opposition has accused Ram Rahim of trying to use this parole to gain a political advantage in the upcoming elections.
Ram Rahim was sentenced to 20 years in prison in August 2017 for the sexual assault of two women. In January 2019, a special CBI court in Panchkula sentenced him and three others to life in prison for the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati, a case that dates back 16 years.
Following his conviction on August 25, 2017, violent protests erupted in Panchkula and Sirsa, resulting in 41 deaths and over 260 injuries.
Agency
Published: 29 Sept 2024, 01:28 pm IST
Related Topics
Disclaimer: Kindly avoid objectionable, derogatory, unlawful and lewd comments, while responding to reports. Such comments are punishable under cyber laws. Please keep away from personal attacks. The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of readers and not that of Mathrubhumi.