In a recent decision, the Haryana government has granted Dera Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh a 21-day parole, allowing him temporary release from prison. This development follows a ruling by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which dismissed a petition filed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) challenging the legality of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s parole.
The decision has sparked significant attention, as Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who has been serving a 20-year sentence since 2017, has been granted multiple paroles over the past four years.
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What is the reason behind Dera Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s latest Furlough?
Dera Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been granted a furlough of 21 days by the Haryana Government. He was released from Rohtak Jail at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.
According to official data, During this parole period of 21 days, Dera Chief will stay in Barnawa Ashram.
Though Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been granted paroles multiple times, the furlough grant this time has caused a stir all over.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s case is full of unexpected twists and turns, making it the center of widespread discussion.
Most people are curious about
– Is the parole granted to Dera Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh by the Haryana Government legal?
– Does the Haryana Government display favoritism towards Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh?
Understanding the Legal Complexity of the Parole Act
What is Parole?
Parole is the temporary release of a prisoner before the end of their sentence, under specific conditions and usually for a limited period. It allows convicts to serve a portion of their sentence outside the prison while remaining under supervision.
Application of the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners Act, 2022
The Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022, is a legal framework that governs the temporary release of prisoners in Haryana. This Act allows eligible prisoners to apply for temporary release based on their good conduct and behavior while imprisoned.
Dera Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been granted multiple paroles under the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022 since 2021. In total, he has received approximately 182 days of parole from March 2023.
These multiple paroles as well as the large attention of the media on the Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh case have elicited a range of skeptical responses. The subject has made several people question its validity.
SGPC vs. Dera Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh – The Parole Controversy
The SGPC’s petition expressed concerns that Dera Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s frequent paroles were undermining the integrity of the legal system. However, the High Court, in its recent decision, dismissed these concerns, stating that there was no evidence of any misuse of the law in the Dera chief’s case.
The court found that the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022, had been correctly applied in Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s case and rejected arguments that the older 1988 Act should have been used instead.
Court’s Rationale for Lifting the Parole Restriction
The court pointed out that the most recent 40-day parole granted to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh had already expired in March 2023. Since the Dera chief had surrendered and returned to prison, the court saw no need to further examine the merits of the SGPC’s petition.
The court emphasized that future parole applications should be handled strictly according to the provisions of the 2022 Act, without any bias or favoritism.
List of Paroles Granted to Dera Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh
Since 2021, Dera Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been granted several paroles under the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022. In total, he has received approximately 91 days of parole in both 2022 and 2023.
Here is the list of paroles granted to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
Picture Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/punjab-and-haryana-high-court-lifts-bar-grant-parole-gurmeet-ram-rahim
So, if you are curious,
Is the parole granted to Dera Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh by the Haryana Government legal?
Throughout his paroles, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has adhered to the legal requirements of the Parole Act. His paroles have been granted based on the Act’s stipulations regarding good conduct and behavior. The High Court’s recent ruling reaffirmed the legality of these paroles and upheld the application of the 2022 Act in his case.
Did Dera Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s Parole Grants Increase His Popularity?
Each period of parole provided Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh with opportunities to engage with his followers. During these times, he conducted online satsangs and led various social and humanitarian activities. His work on drug addiction, cleanliness drives, and disaster relief gained widespread attention.
According to the official data of Dera Sacha Sauda, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has about 60 million followers worldwide before his imprisonment. But the numbers have boosted to across 70 million after his several releases.
His welfare works increased media coverage and positive outcomes helped enhance his public image. As a result, his popularity grew in the society
What Are the Societal Implications of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s Parole?
Dera Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s influence, particularly through online Satsangs has led to tangible social change. Thousands of individuals have reportedly overcome addiction and embraced healthier lifestyles.
He has launched several welfare initiatives to combat the Drug menace like the DEPTH campaign, SAFE campaign, and SAHARA- E – INSAN campaign. He has released various songs on YouTube to aware youth of the same.
His efforts to promote environmental cleanliness, and support disaster relief operations have garnered widespread appreciation. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s initiatives have left a significant mark on the society.
Conclusion
While the followers of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh are celebrating the arrival of their Guru, The recent High Court ruling remains a key moment in the story of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s parole. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s ongoing work in social and humanitarian areas continues to strengthen his influence. This influence attracts both support and criticism from different groups.
