A stain on justice

THE repeated furloughs granted to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the convicted leader of Dera Sacha Sauda, highlight a troubling pattern of leniency towards a man who has been convicted of heinous crimes. Over the years, Ram Rahim has been granted multiple paroles and furloughs, raising serious questions about the integrity of the judicial and political systems that enable such decisions. Ram Rahim has been serving 20 years in prison since 2017 for the rape of two female disciples and was awarded life sentence for the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati. His release on furloughs, especially around election times, casts a shadow over the impartiality of the justice system. The most recent furlough, a 21-day release ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections, marks the 10th instance of such leniency, despite the gravity of his crimes.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court’s decision to allow the Haryana Government discretion in granting Ram Rahim furlough is deeply concerning. A question mark arises on how a government could grant ‘good conduct’ certificates to someone responsible for grave offences. The timing suggests political considerations, especially in view of Ram Rahim’s significant influence over a large voter base in Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan. His sect has historically been courted by political parties, raising questions about whether justice is being compromised for electoral gains. The dera has a history of aligning with political parties, including open support for the BJP during the 2014 Haryana Assembly polls.

This leniency is not just a legal issue; it’s a moral failing. It sends a dangerous message that those with political connections can evade full justice, undermining the victims’ suffering and the principle of fairness. The law must apply equally to all, regardless of status. Anything less damages the credibility of our judicial system and the public’s faith in it.