Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Granted 20-Day Parole with Restrictions Ahead of Haryana Elections

The Haryana government has approved a 20-day parole for Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the leader of Dera Sacha Sauda. However, he is prohibited from engaging in election activities, making speeches, or staying in Haryana during this time. Singh is currently serving a 20-year sentence in Rohtak's Sunaria jail for raping two followers in 2017.

Singh and three others were also found guilty in 2019 for the murder of a journalist over 16 years ago. He requested parole ahead of the October 5 Haryana Assembly elections, citing his father's death anniversary as a reason. An official confirmed the parole approval on Tuesday.

Parole Conditions and Restrictions

Under the parole conditions, Singh must avoid election-related activities and public speeches. He will reside at Dera ashram in Barnawa Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, during this period. Singh had expressed his wish to stay in Baghpat if granted parole.

The jails department forwarded Singh's parole request to the Haryana Chief Electoral Officer due to the Model Code of Conduct for elections. Pankaj Agarwal, the Chief Electoral Officer, stated that the government might consider Singh's parole if facts in his plea are correct and other conditions are met.

Electoral Concerns and Opposition

A letter from the state chief electoral officer to Haryana Jail Department's additional chief secretary referenced a September 30 letter detailing Singh's emergency reasons for seeking parole. The CEO mentioned that parole could be granted if facts are verified and conditions adhered to.

The CEO emphasized that Singh must not visit Haryana or engage in political activities during parole. Authorities should monitor him closely to prevent any election-related involvement. If any objectionable activity occurs, his parole should be immediately revoked.

Past Paroles and Political Reactions

The state will hold elections on October 5, with results announced on October 8. Previously, some of Singh's paroles coincided with elections in Punjab, Haryana, and nearby states, drawing criticism from opposition parties.

In August, Singh received a 21-day furlough. Earlier this year, he was granted a three-week furlough starting February 7, just before the Punjab Assembly elections. The Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee and Shiromani Akali Dal have questioned these repeated paroles.

Legal Proceedings and Public Opinion

Anshul Chhatrapati, son of the murdered journalist, argued that granting parole during elections undermines democratic values and fair voting rights. He claimed Singh might influence voters by sending messages to followers to support a specific party.

In May, the high court acquitted Singh and four others in the 2002 murder of Ranjit Singh, a former manager of the sect. The court cited flawed investigations as reasons for acquittal. A special CBI court had previously sentenced them to life imprisonment for conspiracy in this nearly two-decade-old case.

The situation surrounding Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's parole continues to evoke strong reactions from various quarters. As Haryana prepares for its assembly elections, authorities remain vigilant about ensuring compliance with parole conditions.