Congress opposes parole to Sirsa dera chief Ram Rahim ahead of Haryana Assembly elections
PTC Web Desk: Ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections, the parole granted to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim has sparked opposition, with the Congress raising concerns. The party has submitted a letter to the Election Commission of India (ECI), expressing fears that his release could influence the election outcome. The Congress has requested that parole not be granted to Gurmeet Ram Rahim during the enforcement of the election code of conduct.
The letter, written by KC Bhatia from the All India Congress Committee (AICC) Legal Cell, highlights Ram Rahim’s significant influence in Haryana. The Congress argued that the dera chief has earlier impacted elections while out on parole or furlough and could do so again.
On September 30, the Election Commission had approved Ram Rahim's parole but imposed three conditions: he must not stay in Haryana, refrain from political activities, and avoid election-related promotions on social media.
The ECI has instructed the Haryana Government to cancel Ram Rahim’s parole immediately if he violates these conditions. The Dera chief is expected to be released from Rohtak's Sunaria Jail on October 1.
Voting in Haryana is scheduled for October 5, with results to be declared on October 8. Ram Rahim's parole is being viewed as a potential factor in the election, particularly in 36 seats across the state.
Ram Rahim is currently serving a 20-year sentence for sexual assault and murder convictions. During his parole, he will reside at the Barnawa Ashram in Uttar Pradesh. This comes after he was granted a 21-day furlough in August. Ram Rahim was convicted in two separate cases, including the murder of journalist Ramchandra Chhatrapati and the killing of Ranjit Singh. However, he was acquitted in the latter case by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in May 2023. Under prison rules, inmates are eligible for up to 10 weeks of parole and 4 weeks of furlough per year.
- With inputs from agencies
