Haryana Govt’s Act Helps Rape Convict Ram Rahim Get Repeated Parole
The Haryana government’s recent legislation, the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022, has been making headlines for its provisions that allow convicted prisoners to be released on parole. One of the most notable beneficiaries of this law is rape convict Ram Rahim, who has been serving his sentence since 2017. The Act has been criticized for its leniency towards prisoners, including those who have been convicted of heinous crimes like rape.
According to the Act, convicted prisoners are allowed to be released for a period of 10 weeks each year. This provision is intended to provide prisoners with an opportunity to reintegrate into society and spend time with their families. However, the law also includes a provision that allows “hardcore convicted prisoners” who have served at least five years of their sentence, including two years under trial, to receive regular parole. This is where Ram Rahim’s case comes into play.
As Ram Rahim has been in jail since 2017, he qualifies for this provision. The fact that he is not considered a “hardcore criminal” under the law has raised eyebrows, given the severity of his crime. Ram Rahim was convicted of raping two of his female followers and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Despite his conviction, he has been granted parole multiple times, thanks to the Haryana government’s new law.
The Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022, has been touted as a progressive piece of legislation that aims to reform the prison system and provide prisoners with a chance to rehabilitate. However, critics argue that the law is too lenient and allows prisoners like Ram Rahim to take advantage of its provisions. The fact that Ram Rahim has been granted parole multiple times has sparked outrage among many, who feel that he is being given preferential treatment.
The law has also raised questions about the definition of a “hardcore criminal.” If Ram Rahim, who has been convicted of rape, is not considered a hardcore criminal, then who is? The lack of clarity on this issue has led to confusion and criticism of the law. Many feel that the law is too vague and allows prisoners like Ram Rahim to exploit its provisions.
The Haryana government has defended the law, stating that it is intended to provide prisoners with a chance to reform and reintegrate into society. The government has also argued that the law is not intended to be lenient towards prisoners, but rather to provide them with an opportunity to turn their lives around. However, critics argue that the law is being misused by prisoners like Ram Rahim, who are taking advantage of its provisions to get repeated parole.
The case of Ram Rahim has highlighted the need for a more nuanced approach to prison reform. While the intention behind the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022, may be noble, its provisions are being exploited by prisoners who do not deserve leniency. The law needs to be revised to ensure that it is not being misused by prisoners like Ram Rahim.
In conclusion, the Haryana government’s Act has helped rape convict Ram Rahim get repeated parole, sparking outrage and criticism. The law’s provisions, while intended to be progressive, are being exploited by prisoners who do not deserve leniency. The case of Ram Rahim highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to prison reform, one that takes into account the severity of the crime and the prisoner’s behavior while in jail. The Haryana government needs to revise the law to ensure that it is not being misused by prisoners like Ram Rahim.
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