Convicted in rape and murder cases, Gurmeet Ram Rahim once again stepped out of prison on parole this Wednesday. Under heavy police escort, he traveled to the Barnava Ashram in Uttar Pradesh from the Haryana jail. Notably, this parole was approved just before the Haryana legislative elections commenced. The Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini, sanctioned Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s 20-day parole application on Tuesday. The Election Commission has stipulated three main conditions for Ram Rahim.
What are these three conditions...
As per the stipulations by the Election Commission, the Dera Sacha Sauda leader has been granted parole. According to these conditions, Gurmeet will not reside in Haryana upon release. He shall not engage in any political activities and cannot promote himself on social media. Gurmeet requested a 20-day emergency parole and mentioned in his application to the jail department that he would stay at the Barnava Ashram in Uttar Pradesh.
Parole granted 11 times in 4 years
Interestingly, Ram Rahim has been granted parole or furlough 11 times in the past 4 years, receiving this concession notably before elections 8 times. He is currently imprisoned at the Sunaria jail in Rohtak district. He surrendered back to the prison after completing a 21-day furlough on September 2.
When has Gurmeet been granted parole or furlough?
October 24, 2020: One-day parole to visit his hospitalized mother.
May 21, 2021: 12-hour parole for another hospital visit to see his mother.
February 7, 2022: Granted 21-day furlough to visit family.
June 17, 2022: 30-day parole to be at the Bagpat Ashram in UP.
October 14, 2022: 40-day parole, stayed at Bagpat Ashram, released a music video.
January 21, 2023: 40-day parole to attend Shah Satnam Singh’s birth anniversary.
July 20, 2023: 30-day parole, stayed at Barnava Ashram in Bagpat.
November 21, 2023: 21-day furlough, stayed at Barnava Ashram.
January 19, 2024: 50-day parole with national elections approaching.
August 13, 2024: High Court approved a 21-day furlough amidst approaching Haryana Assembly and UP by-elections.
Why is Gurmeet serving a sentence?
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is serving a 20-year sentence for the rape charges of two of his disciples and is incarcerated at the Sunaria Prison in Rohtak district, Haryana. He received this sentence in 2017. Additionally, in 2019, Dera chief Gurmeet and three others were convicted for a 16-year-old journalist murder case.
Read more: 'Ram Rahim’s freedom - a threat to elections…', Ram Chander Chhatrapati's son addresses letter to Election Commission
What is parole?
Let’s delve into parole. Essentially, parole is a form of temporary leave similar to furlough, allowing an inmate to exit the jail for a specific reason. It is sometimes extended to under-trial prisoners too. In this process, the prisoner must state a concrete reason for leaving, such as a family member’s demise or medical grounds, known as parole.
Parole comes in two types, custody parole and regular parole. In custody parole, permission to exit the jail under certain special circumstances is granted, but the inmate remains under police custody. If permitted to meet someone, the prisoner can exit but is accompanied by the police and is returned to jail post the visit.
