Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh / Ram Rahim asked for 20 days parole, sent application to CEC

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh: Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim has once again demanded 20 days parole. Ram Rahim, who is serving a 20-year sentence for rape and murder, is currently lodged in Sunaria jail in Rohtak, Haryana. He recently placed this demand before the jail administration, and the state government has referred the matter to the Chief Election Officer to take a decision on it, as the model code of conduct is in force in the state.

Election Commission intervention

According to sources, the Election Commission has asked the state government how appropriate it would be to release a convict on parole during the election period. Due to the model code of conduct, the approval of the Election Commission is necessary in such cases. Meanwhile, the matter of Ram Rahim's release on parole is still pending and the final decision on it will be taken by the Chief Electoral Officer.

Has got parole many times before

Ram Rahim was granted 21-day furlough on August 13, 2024 last month. This is not the first time Ram Rahim has been released on parole. In the last seven years, he has come out on parole and furlough several times while he was in jail. It is clear from the complete list of his parole and furlough releases that he has been given the opportunity to come out of jail for short periods several times.

List of parole/furlough of Ram Rahim:

• 20 October 2020 - One day parole
• 12 May 2021 - One day parole
• 17 May 2021 - One day parole
• 3 June 2021 - Seven days parole
• 13 July 2021 - Parole for treatment at AIIMS
• 7 February 2022 - 21 days furlough
• 17 June 2022 - 30 days parole
• October 2022 - 40 days parole
• 21 January 2023 - 40 days parole
• 20 July 2023 - 30 days parole
• 20 November 2023 - 21 days parole
• 19 January 2024 - 50 days parole
• 13 August 2024 - 21 days furlough

Parole Process

According to Haryana Jail Department officials, the process of parole is as follows: There is no need to give any specific reason for the demand under normal circumstances. But if someone demands emergency parole, then it is necessary to give the reason. Ram Rahim has 20 days of parole left till 2024, so no reason has been mentioned in his demand.

However, this time the matter has become a bit complicated due to the model code of conduct, and so the Haryana government has sent it to the Chief Election Officer of the state. Usually parole is approved at the divisional commissioner level, but in the election environment this process comes under the Election Commission.

Ram Rahim's sentence and controversy

Gurmeet Ram Rahim was convicted in 2017 for raping two disciples and murdering a journalist. He was sentenced to 20 years each, which he is serving till now. During his sentence, he has obtained permission to come out of jail on parole several times, which has created controversy every time.

During parole and furlough, Ram Rahim remains in touch with his supporters, and his coming out has also seen a stir in political activities at times. This is the reason why his parole demand is getting a lot of attention this time too, especially when elections are near in the state.

Conclusion

Ram Rahim's new demand for parole has once again given rise to controversy. The decision of the Election Commission will be important in this matter, as such decisions are given a lot of attention due to the model code of conduct. Now it remains to be seen whether Ram Rahim is released on parole once again or his demand is rejected this time.