Haryana Govt’s Act Helps Rape Convict Ram Rahim Get Repeated Parole
The recent news of rape convict Ram Rahim’s repeated parole has sparked controversy and raised questions about the Haryana government’s stance on convicts. The key to understanding this situation lies in the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022. This Act has been instrumental in allowing convicted prisoners, including Ram Rahim, to be released on parole for extended periods. In this blog post, we will delve into the details of the Act, its provisions, and how it has facilitated Ram Rahim’s repeated parole.
The Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022, is a law that aims to provide relief to prisoners who have demonstrated good conduct during their incarceration. The Act allows convicted prisoners to be released for a period of 10 weeks each year, providing them with an opportunity to reintegrate into society and spend time with their families. However, the law also has 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.
Ram Rahim, the self-styled godman and chief of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect, has been in jail since 2017. He was convicted of raping two of his female followers and was sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment. Despite his conviction, Ram Rahim has been able to avail of the provisions of the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022, to secure repeated parole. The fact that he has been in jail for over five years, including the time he spent under trial, makes him eligible for regular parole under the Act.
The provision of the Act that allows hardcore convicted prisoners to receive regular parole has been criticized by many. The term ‘hardcore convicted prisoners’ is often associated with those who have committed heinous crimes, such as murder or rape. However, the Act does not explicitly exclude those who have been convicted of such crimes from availing of the provision. This has led to a situation where even those who have been convicted of serious crimes, like Ram Rahim, can secure parole.
The Haryana government’s decision to introduce the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022, has been seen as a move to provide relief to prisoners who have demonstrated good conduct. However, the provision that allows hardcore convicted prisoners to receive regular parole has raised concerns about the government’s stance on convicts. Many have questioned how a convict like Ram Rahim, who has been found guilty of a heinous crime, can be considered for parole.
The issue of Ram Rahim’s parole has also sparked a debate about the concept of ‘good conduct’ in prisons. While the Act provides for the release of prisoners who have demonstrated good conduct, the criteria for evaluating good conduct are not clearly defined. This has led to concerns that the provision may be misused to grant parole to convicts who do not necessarily deserve it.
In the case of Ram Rahim, his repeated parole has been seen as a testament to the loopholes in the system. Despite being convicted of a serious crime, he has been able to secure parole on multiple occasions, sparking outrage among many. The fact that he has been able to avail of the provisions of the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022, has raised questions about the government’s commitment to justice and the rights of victims.
In conclusion, the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022, has been instrumental in facilitating Ram Rahim’s repeated parole. The provision that allows hardcore convicted prisoners to receive regular parole has been criticized for being too lenient and for not excluding those who have been convicted of serious crimes. The issue of Ram Rahim’s parole has sparked a debate about the concept of good conduct in prisons and the government’s stance on convicts. As the controversy surrounding Ram Rahim’s parole continues, it remains to be seen how the government will address the concerns raised by this issue.
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