Ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections on October 5, the Election Commission on Monday granted the parole application of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the controversial chief of Dera Sacha Sauda.
However, the approval is subject to rigorous conditions, and any infringement may result in the immediate cancellation of his parole.
During his parole time, the Dera Sacha Sauda chief would be restricted from visiting Haryana and from participating in any election campaign activities, either in person or through social media. With the Election Commission’s approval, the Haryana government is expected to issue an order of release soon.
The conditions emerged after he was accused of influencing elections through his followers and establishing a political wing in his Dera.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim returned to Sunaria jail on September 2 after a 21-day furlough, granted on August 13.
However, the timing of his parole petition has once again brought attention to its proximity to elections.
Since 2020, the Dera chief has been granted temporary release 14 times, totalling 259 days, through furloughs and paroles.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s parole on January 19 was linked to the general elections, while his 21-day furlough, starting on August 13, coincided with the upcoming Haryana Assembly election on October 5. Similarly, during the 2022 Punjab Assembly election, the Dera chief was granted a 21-day furlough from February 7 to February 27. His eighth release, on June 17, 2022, also coincided with the Haryana municipal elections.
Ram Rahim is serving a 20-year sentence for murder and rape convictions. He remains lodged in Sunaria jail in Rohtak.
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Source: India Today
