Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the leader of Dera Sacha Sauda, who was found guilty of raping two of his followers in 2017, was freed from prison on Wednesday, one day after receiving a 20-day parole. Raising concerns as Singh may influence his followers ahead of the Haryana elections, which are scheduled for October 5.
Since his sentencing, he has been out on parole or furlough 11 times. The last 21-day leave Singh received was on August 13. Parole is granted in the event of an exigency, while furlough is a general break from imprisonment. Polls have coincided with Singh’s temporary release. Singh, despite his convictions, remained popular.
The order for Singh’s temporary release was issued by the Rohtak divisional commissioner on Tuesday, one day after the Election Commission of India (ECI) stated that the authorities would make a decision regarding his request based on the accuracy of the facts he presented in his plea and his fulfillment of additional requirements related to the election-related code of conduct.
Singh was told to remain at the Dera’s ashram in Baghpat, in the neighboring state of Uttar Pradesh, by the state government. It has become unlawful for Singh to give speeches in public. Authorities promised to keep a close eye on his actions. For “faithful observance of the conditions,” Singh was required to provide two sureties, each worth ₹3 lakh, and a personal bond.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came under fire from the Congress for granting parole. It asked the ECI to take notice of the situation and halt the relief during the election. “The BJP has to take the help of a murder and rape convict in the election… [it] is a blot on the party’s face,” Congress leader Subhash Batra said.
Haryana Congress legal cell chairman KC Bhatia said he has written to the ECI against the relief. “Ram Rahim can influence voters during the elections. This is not an occasion to grant him parole,” he said.
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