Haryana Election 2024: Ram Rahim came out of jail just before Haryana elections, got parole for the 15th time in 4 years

Haryana Assembly Elections 2024: Just before the Haryana Assembly elections, Dera Sacha Sauda chief and rape convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has come out of jail again. Controversial Ram Rahim Singh, who is serving a 20-year sentence for raping two of his followers, has come out on parole ahead of the assembly elections in Haryana on October 5.

Sources said on Tuesday (October 1) that the Election Commission has approved the parole plea of the Dera chief with conditions. However, the final decision in this regard was to be taken by the Haryana government. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh had requested a 20-day parole. This request was made a few days before the Haryana Assembly elections to be held on October 5. Official sources said that due to the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, the parole application of the Dera chief was sent to the Election Office. India Today's report claims that on Tuesday, the Election Commission approved 'emergency parole' for the rape-murder convict Dera chief.

The report claims that the Election Commission has approved the parole petition with three conditions. He is barred from entering Haryana during this period. Also, he cannot engage in any political activity. He will also have to refrain from participating in election-related activities through social media.

Why did he get parole?

Ram Rahim had sought 20-day parole for the death anniversary of his father Maghar Singh on October 5. Ram Rahim enjoyed the patronage of political leaders and parties in Punjab and Haryana for nearly two decades due to his ability to influence the votes of his followers.

The Dera chief has said that he will stay in Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh during the parole period if permission is granted. Singh was granted 21-day furlough (leave) in August this year. Earlier too, some of Singh's paroles and furloughs coincided with elections in Punjab, Haryana and neighbouring states. He was granted a three-week furlough from February 7, 2022, about two weeks before the Punjab assembly elections.

15th furlough in 4 years with conditions

This is Gurmeet Ram Rahim's third temporary release in the last 9 months and the 15th in the last four years. According to India Today, the Dera Sacha Sauda chief will be banned from entering Haryana during the parole period. He has also been barred from participating in any election campaign activities in person or through social media.

VIDEO | Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh released on parole from Rohtak’s Sunaria jail. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was sentenced in 2017 and is serving a 20-year sentence for raping two of his disciples.#HaryanaNews

(Full video available on PTI Videos -… pic.twitter.com/3S1TliypoA

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 2, 2024

Stayed out of jail for 259 days

Gurmeet Ram Rahim went back to jail on September 2 after a 21-day leave granted on August 13. Since 2020, the Dera chief has been granted temporary release 14 times, totalling 259 days. This release has been granted through leave and parole. Ram Rahim was granted parole ahead of the Lok Sabha elections on January 19. Similarly, the Dera chief was granted 21 days' leave from February 7 to February 27 during the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections.

At the same time, his 8th release on June 17, 2022 also coincided with the Haryana municipal elections. Ram Rahim is serving a 20-year sentence after being convicted of murder and rape. Earlier, the High Court had rejected Ram Rahim's plea for parole to attend the wedding of his foster daughters.

Many charges have been leveled

The self-proclaimed baba was sentenced to 20 years in jail in August 2017 for raping two women. In 2019, a special CBI court in Panchkula also sentenced him and three others to life imprisonment for the murder of a journalist 16 years ago. His conviction on August 25, 2017 had led to violence in Panchkula and Sirsa. 41 people were killed and more than 260 were injured in this. Ram Rahim is currently lodged in the high security Sunaria jail in Rohtak, 250 km from Haryana's capital Chandigarh.