The Tribune Interview: ‘Drug addiction to blame for youth getting into crime’

It has been a quick transformation from a jailer to joining politics and nomination as the BJP candidate from Dadri Assembly segment in Charkhi Dadri for Suneel Sangwan. He was the Superintendent of Sunaria jail in Rohtak where the controversial godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim had been lodged after conviction in rape and murder cases in 2017 and 2019, respectively.

Talking to Deepender Deswal in Charkhi Dadri town, Sangwan, who seems to lack a politician’s demeanour, tries to connect to people with his track record as a jailer.

Engaging in encounters with the criminals cannot eradicate crime as a whole. There is a long-term method of reformation and rehabilitation.

• How did it happen that you joined politics and managed to get the ticket within days?

I have realised that life is tough for a politician and rather easy one when in government service. As far as joining politics is concerned, my father held a meeting of supporters in October 2023 after which the Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda and BJP’s former CM Manohar Lal Khattar contacted my father. Khattar invited us to join the party though there was no commitment for the ticket.

• What are the issues in Charkhi Dadri?

I can see that there is anti-incumbency against the sitting MLA in Dadri who failed to perform during his tenure. Besides, there is an issue of about 200 acres owned by the Cement Corporation of India which remained unutilised. I would ensure that this land is utilised for industry and other purposes.

• You have been a jailer in Sunaria Jail where Ram Rahim was lodged after conviction and got frequent paroles. What’s your take?

There are two types of parole — emergency parole and regular parole. The Superintendent is a competent authority for emergency parole. Ram Rahim applied thrice for emergency parole during my tenure. I rejected his application on all three occasions without any bias. He had sought emergency parole citing the illness of his mother. I got it verified by the police, which stated that his mother was admitted to a hospital but was not in serious condition. Since parole could be granted if the patient is serious, the applications were rejected.

In case of regular parole, the Divisional Commissioner is the competent authority. The jailer has the task of forwarding the application of a convicted person to Commissioner. I have not made any recommendation for parole to the Commissioner. In fact, during my tenure, I never made any recommendation for parole to any convicted person.

• You have dealt with criminals being a jailer. What are your suggestions to curb the crime?

In Haryana, drug addiction is one of the major reasons for youth getting into crime. The rehabilitation centres need to be set up for drug de-addiction. Though there is also an example of the UP police which has been dealing with the criminals. Engaging in encounters with the criminals is a short-term method. But it cannot eradicate crime as a whole. There is a long-term method of reformation and rehabilitation.

• Your father Satpal Sangwan has a long association with former CM Bansi Lal. How do you remember your family’s association with him?

Bansi Lal was like a God for this region of Bhiwani and Charkhi Dadri. He brought lift irrigation, which not only brought potable water but also helped in irrigation facilities for agriculture.