No More Parole Without Court Approval for Rape Convict Ram Rahim

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, a self-styled godman convicted of rape, cannot be granted parole without court approval. This decision comes after Ram Rahim was recently granted a 50-day parole, raising concerns about the frequency of his temporary releases from prison.

Ram Rahim is currently serving a 20-year sentence for the rape of two women disciples. He has a history of receiving parole, including a 21-day release in November 2023. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) challenged these repeated paroles, prompting the High Court’s intervention.

The court further questioned the Haryana government about the frequency of Ram Rahim’s paroles compared to other inmates. This line of inquiry suggests potential inconsistencies in how parole is granted within the state.

While serving his sentence for rape, Ram Rahim also faces convictions for murder and conspiracy. He was found guilty in 2019 for the murder of a journalist and, in 2021, for conspiring to kill a Dera manager.

While the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022, allows for the granting of regular parole to convicted prisoners, those involved in multiple murders or charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) are exempted.