In a controversial move, the Sirsa police have recommended 42-day parole to rape and murder convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
Reportedly, the Dera Sacha Sauda chief Ram Rahim Singh had sought parole for farming at his fields in Haryana’s Sirsa. The 51-year-old is currently lodged at Sunaria jail in Rohtak after being convicted in two rape cases and murder of a journalist.
Following his application for the parole for 42 days, the jail superintendent had written a letter to the Sirsa district administration. In a letter dated June 18, the official sought a report whether releasing Gurmeet Ram Rahim on parole would be feasible or not.
Sirsa Police had recommended parole for jailed Dera Sacha Sauda chief Ram Rahim Singh citing ‘good behaviour’. Following his application for the parole for 42 days, the jail superintendent had written to the Sirsa district administration stating that Ram Rahim Singh was not a “hardcore” criminal and had good conduct in prison. He had also added that Ram Rahim ‘has not committed any crime in prison’.
Earlier in May, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had rejected the parole application filed by rape convict godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. The court had observed that releasing Ram Rahim could lead to a law and order problem like the infamous incident of 2017.
However, the state government is yet to consider the parole request of the Dera Chief Ram Rahim Singh. Haryana Jail Minister KL Panwar said that every convict has the right to seek parole after a year, he made a request which we forwarded to the Sirsa district administration. He said further action will be taken based on the report.
On receiving the letter, Sirsa Police had also approached the Revenue Department to ascertain how much land the Dera chief owns. However, as per new reports, Gurmeet Singh’s parole application may be cancelled as land records submitted by the Revenue Department showed that he does not own land.
The report that was submitted by the department, states that the Dera sect owns 250 acres of land. But, there is no mention of any leader of the Dera. The report also states that the entire land is owned by the Dera Sacha Sauda Trust.
In August 2017, the Dera chief Ram Rahim Singh was sentenced to 20 years in jail for raping two women. A special CBI court in Panchkula had in January this year also sentenced him and three others to life imprisonment for the murder of a journalist over 16 years ago.
Following the verdict, Dera followers had created havoc by indulging in violence in Haryana, killing 17 protestors in police firing whereas over 200 were injured. Even more, were detained in an attempt to contain violence.
