Opposition ‘outraged’ as rape convict Dera chief Ram Rahim gets parole before Adampur bypoll
The Haryana government has been facing massive backlash from the Opposition after granting 40-day parole to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who is serving a life term in connection with rape and murder cases. The Dera chief was granted parole by the Manohar Lal Khattar-led state government on October 14.
Opposition went all guns blazing questioning the timing of granting parole to the Dera chief and accused the BJP of trying to influence the Adampur bypolls and Haryana Panchayat elections.
Adampur bypoll in Haryana is scheduled to be held on November 3. Besides, the state is also scheduled to hold panchayat polls soon, for which the nomination-filing process has already begun.
Congress leader Udit Raj said, “During Punjab elections he was let lose, and to utilise his influence. He campaigned in Punjab… and in Adampur byelection the BJP is trying its level best to take advantage of his followers and campaign. I ask a question – why seers who are not in favour of BJP are not granted parole.”
Notably, there have been instances in past where Ram Rahim was granted a parole right before an election. He has been lodged in Sunaria jail since 2017 after a special CBI court in Panchkula convicted him for raping two women disciples at his ashram in Sirsa.
Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said, “As a woman and Indian citizen, I am outraged. Every person convicted of a crime against women is being released. Is politics more important than the justice delivery mechanism in this country?”
Ram Rahim reaches ashram
Meanwhile, Ram Rahim has now reached Dera Sacha Sauda ashram in Barnawa, Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh under police cover. The convicted Dera chief was released from Sunaria jail in the Rohtak district of Haryana on Saturday.
Haryana Jail Minister Ranjit Singh Chautala said, “My role as Jail Minister was confined to granting parole and his actions outside the Jail need to be checked by the administration.”
Amid allegations that the parole was granted to influenced the upcoming Adampur bypolls, Karnal Deputy Mayor Rajesh Kumar said, “Parole has no connection with the upcoming elections. People of my ward are his followers and they asked me to come to the event, hence I attended it.”
