20-day parole for Sirsa dera head
Divisional Commissioner, Rohtak, Sanjeev Verma, today granted parole to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for 20 days. He is likely to be released on October 2.
ACS, Jails, Anurah Rastogi has conveyed that after due consideration, the “Government has granted permission for parole for a period of 20 days in respect of convict no. 8647/C Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh confined in District Jail, Rohtak, subject to correctness of the facts mentioned in his additional application”.
The conditions imposed on him included that he “shall not visit Haryana during the period of parole” and “shall not make any public speech or indulge in any political activity during this period”. Also, “it should be ensured that he does not indulge in any election-related activity”.
ACS jails also mentioned that “if he is found indulging in any objectionable activity, his parole should be cancelled forthwith”. Haryana Chief Election Officer Pankaj Aggarwal gave his concurrence on the release of Ram Rahim on parole on September 30, as per Election Commission instructions.
However, the power to release him on parole lies with Rohtak Divisional Commissioner. In his release warrant, he mentioned, “Now, since the government has already granted permission for parole to the prisoner, therefore, the release authority hereby authorise the temporary release…”
Verma imposed additional conditions that Ram Rahim shall reside at his ashram in Barnava, Baghpat, and would not visit any other place without prior permission of local District Magistrate. He added that in-charge of police station concerned “shall keep a close watch on the conduct and activities” of Ram Rahim during the temporary release and submit a report to the Jail Superintendent through the SP. Haryana is going to the polls on October 5. The dera’s alignment with the BJP could affect prospects in closely contested constituencies, particularly in Sirsa, Fatehabad, Ambala, Kurukshetra, Panchkula and Hisar.
(With inputs from Sunit Dhawan and Anil Kakkar)
