The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Haryana has raised concerns regarding the recent parole request from Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the Dera Sacha Sauda Chief, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for the rape of two disciples and the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati. The request for a 20-day temporary release comes just ahead of the state Assembly elections scheduled for October 5, prompting scrutiny from electoral officials.
The CEO has formally asked the Haryana government to clarify the “compelling circumstances” that warrant Ram Rahim’s release, as mandated by Election Commission (EC) guidelines. These guidelines stipulate that parole should only be granted in “extreme emergency” situations, with strict measures to prevent the convict from engaging in any election-related activities during their time outside prison.
This request for parole has raised alarms, given its timing close to the elections. The jail administration has forwarded the application to the EC for further consideration. Previously, Ram Rahim was granted a 21-day furlough on August 13, 2024, marking the tenth time he has received temporary release in four years. This year alone, he has already spent 50 days on parole.
Opposition parties have accused Ram Rahim of seeking to leverage his temporary release for political gain in the upcoming elections. Following his conviction in 2017, violent protests erupted in Panchkula and Sirsa, resulting in 41 fatalities and over 260 injuries.
Ram Rahim was sentenced in August 2017 for the sexual assault of two women, and in January 2019, he received a life sentence for the murder of journalist Chhatrapati, a case that has lingered for 16 years. The situation remains tense as the state gears up for the elections amidst ongoing discussions about the implications of Ram Rahim’s potential release.