3 min readChandigarhSep 29, 2024 07:25 AM IST
First published on: Sep 29, 2024 at 07:25 AM IST
Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has sought a 20-day parole ahead of the Haryana assembly polls. With the model code of conduct in place for the October 5 polls, the state government forwarded the parole request to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) for consultation on Saturday. According to official sources, the CEO has written to the state government, asking for the emergent and compelling circumstances that justify the release of the convict on parole during the election period.
The Dera chief is serving a 20-year sentence in Rohtak’s Sunaria jail for the rape of two female disciples at his ashram in Haryana’s Sirsa. On August 13 this year, he was granted a 21-day furlough to stay at his Dera in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh. He now seeks to stay in Baghpat again during this parole, said sources.
A few days ago, officials noted, he applied to the jail superintendent for a 20-day parole. A government official told The Indian Express, “In normal circumstances, there’s no need to specify reasons for seeking parole. Reasons are only required for emergency parole. Since the 20-day parole of Gurmeet Singh remains for 2024, there was no need to mention reasons.”
The official added, “Parole is usually approved at the divisional commissioner level. However, due to the model code of conduct, the prisons department, through the government, referred this case to the Chief Electoral Officer.”
In its communication to the CEO, the government reportedly mentioned that the Election Commission of India’s guidelines do not require its approval for parole cases. However, a source clarified, “The same guidelines state that the government must consult the CEO in emergent and compelling circumstances for parole. Since these circumstances were not specified in the Haryana government’s letter, the CEO asked the state government to clarify.”
An official commented, “Typically, convicts are not released after the model code of conduct comes into force to ensure the integrity of the election process and maintain a level playing field. Since the code came into effect in August for the assembly polls, the government has sent only one case to the CEO for consultation, concerning a convict seeking parole after losing his brother. During the Lok Sabha elections, only three parole cases were sent to the CEO.”
The repeated paroles and furloughs granted to the Dera chief have been challenged in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. His release in August came just days after the High Court dismissed a petition that challenged his temporary release. While rejecting the plea filed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the court observed that such matters should be considered by the competent authority without “arbitrariness or favouritism.” The High Court left it to the Haryana prisons department to decide on the Dera chief’s furlough application.
Rape-and-murder convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim. (File Photo) 
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