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 Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the head of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect. The law has been criticized for being too lenient, especially when it comes to convicted prisoners like Ram Rahim, who have been found guilty of heinous crimes.
According to the Act, convicted prisoners are allowed to be released for 10 weeks each year, provided they have exhibited good conduct while in jail. Additionally, the law also allows ‘hardcore convicted prisoners’ who have served at least five years of their sentence, including two years under trial, to receive regular parole. Since Ram Rahim has been in jail since 2017, he qualifies for this provision, which has allowed him to be released on parole multiple times.
The Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022, was enacted with the aim of providing relief to prisoners who have demonstrated good behavior while in custody. The law is intended to incentivize prisoners to behave well, with the promise of temporary release and the opportunity to reintegrate into society. However, critics argue that the law is too broad and allows even those convicted of serious crimes to benefit from its provisions.
Ram Rahim’s case is a prime example of the controversy surrounding the law. In 2017, he was convicted of raping two of his female followers and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Despite his conviction, Ram Rahim has been released on parole multiple times, thanks to the provisions of the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022. This has sparked outrage among many, who argue that a convicted rapist like Ram Rahim should not be allowed to benefit from such leniency.
The law has also been criticized for its lack of clarity on what constitutes “good conduct” in prison. While the Act provides a framework for evaluating a prisoner’s behavior, it leaves much to the discretion of prison authorities. This has raised concerns that the law could be misused to favor certain prisoners, such as those with influential connections or those who are willing to cooperate with authorities.
Furthermore, the law’s provision allowing ‘hardcore convicted prisoners’ to receive regular parole has been criticized for being too lenient. Critics argue that prisoners who have been convicted of serious crimes, such as rape or murder, should not be eligible for parole, regardless of their behavior in prison. The fact that Ram Rahim, a convicted rapist, has been able to benefit from this provision has led many to question the wisdom of the law.
In addition to the controversy surrounding Ram Rahim’s parole, the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022, has also raised concerns about the potential impact on public safety. By releasing convicted prisoners on parole, the law may be putting the public at risk, especially if those released have a history of violent or predatory behavior. This is particularly concerning in cases like Ram Rahim’s, where the prisoner has been convicted of a serious crime and has a history of exploiting his position of power.
The Haryana government has defended the law, arguing that it is designed to provide relief to prisoners who have demonstrated good behavior and are willing to reintegrate into society. However, critics argue that the law is too broad and needs to be revised to ensure that it is not misused to favor certain prisoners. They also argue that the law should be more specific about what constitutes “good conduct” in prison and should provide clearer guidelines for evaluating a prisoner’s behavior.
In conclusion, the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022, has been controversial from the start, and its provisions have allowed rape convict Ram Rahim to get repeated parole. While the law’s intentions may be good, its implementation has raised concerns about public safety and the potential for misuse. As the debate surrounding the law continues, it is essential to consider the potential consequences of releasing convicted prisoners on parole and to ensure that the law is revised to prioritize public safety and justice.
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