Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim has been granted a 20-day parole as Haryana prepares for its assembly elections, effective Monday.
Ram Rahim, who is serving a 20-year sentence for rape, is expected to be released by tomorrow morning. This marks the third time he has received parole this year and 15th, in the last four year.
The parole application was approved by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini before being sent to the Divisional Commissioner of Rohtak.
Currently incarcerated in Bagpath, Uttar Pradesh, Ram Rahim will be released once he obtains the necessary clearance from local authorities. He requested parole to observe the death anniversary of his father, Maghar Singh, on October 5.
The Election Commission has imposed strict conditions on Ram Rahim’s parole, including a prohibition on entering Haryana, making public speeches, or engaging in political activities.
In correspondence to the Haryana Jail Department’s additional chief secretary, the state chief electoral officer referenced a September 30 letter from the administration detailing the “emergency and compelling reasons” provided by the convict for his 20-day parole request, according to PTI.
The CEO stated, “Given the aforementioned letters, the state government may evaluate the request for parole (20 days) for convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, currently held in district jail, Rohtak, provided the facts concerning the emergency and compelling reasons outlined in your September 30 letter are accurate.”
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been convicted in a rape case since 2017. The Haryana assembly elections are set for October 5, with vote counting scheduled for October 8.
