In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court has cleared the way for the trial of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, leader of Dera Sacha Sauda, in connection with the 2015 sacrilege incidents. This decision comes after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann granted permission for his prosecution, following the High Court’s order to expedite the case. With Ram Rahim currently serving a 20-year sentence for rape and murder convictions, the court's notice to him highlights the significance of this high-profile case.
On October 19, 2024, the Punjab government requested a response from Ram Rahim within four weeks. This order came from the bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan after an appeal was made. The court noted that the matter required scrutiny and issued a notice to the Dera Sacha Sauda chief, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for rape.
Sunil Sangwan, the former jail superintendent of the jail where Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is lodged, has won the Charkhi Dadri seat in Haryana as a Bharatiya Janata Party candidate. He defeated Congress' Manisha Sangwan by 1,957 votes in the October 5 assembly polls. Sangwan had recently taken voluntary retirement and joined the BJP, following in the footsteps of his father, ex-MLA and ex-minister Satpal Sangwan. During his tenure, Sangwan served as superintendent of many jails, including the one where the controversial Dera chief is currently lodged.
Amidst a closely contested election between the BJP and Congress in Haryana, the issue of parole being granted to convicted rapist and Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has raised questions about the violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Both the Congress and a victim's son have flagged this issue and urged the Chief Election Commissioner to intervene. This parole would be the 10th granted to Rahim in the past two years, sparking concern about his potential influence in the polls. The controversy highlights the need for unbiased news coverage in the midst of political agendas.
Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, currently serving a life sentence for rape and murder, has been granted parole for the fifth time before an election. With his followers claiming to have received instructions to vote en bloc, the dera chief's influence on voters in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan cannot be ignored. This move comes after the dera dissolved its political wing last year and the Election Commission has banned the dera chief from indulging in any political activity. However, allegations of his influence on voters have been raised in the past as well, making this parole decision a contentious one.
After joining the BJP and quitting his post as Bhondsi Jail Superintendent, Sunil Sangwan, son of former Haryana Minister Satpal Sangwan, has been chosen as a candidate for the upcoming state assembly election from Charkhi Dadri constituency. During his tenure, controversial figures like Gurmeet Ram Rahim were granted parole six times. Sangwan's decision to join the BJP was influenced by their policies and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.
The BJP has drawn criticism for naming Sunil Sangwan, former prison official who granted parole to controversial Dera Sacha Sauda chief and rape convict Ram Rahim six times, as a candidate for the upcoming Haryana Assembly election. Political observers have noted a pattern in Ram Rahim's temporary releases - they often coincide with state or local body elections. Sangwan's inclusion in the party's list of candidates raises questions about the BJP's priorities and strategies for the election.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the Dera Sacha Sauda chief and rape convict, has been granted a 21-day furlough from the Sunaria jail in Haryana. During his temporary release period, he will reside at the Dera ashram in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh. The Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissed a petition against his release and instructed the competent authority to consider his plea without bias. Singh had filed for the furlough in June and the court had previously directed the Haryana government to not grant him any more paroles without permission. He is currently serving a 20-year sentence for rape and was also convicted for murder in 2019 (later acquitted by HC).
Actor and politician Prakash Raj has taken to social media to criticize Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 78th Independence Day speech, in which he expressed concern over incidents of rape and violence against women. Raj's post has gone viral, with the hashtag #justasking, and highlights the recent release of sexual offenders Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and Asaram Bapu on parole. Raj questions when the PM will "walk the talk" on women's safety and ensure quick investigation and punishment for those who abuse women.
A closer look at Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim's frequent paroles and furloughs show a pattern of coinciding with elections in Haryana and other states. Despite objections from SGPC, political support from leaders such as Haryana Jail Minister Ranjit Singh Chautala has resulted in the Dera chief being out of prison for more than eight months of his 20-year sentence. Prison officials claim that Ram Rahim is not receiving preferential treatment, as temporary release is available to all convicts.