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 high-profile beneficiaries of this law is rape convict Ram Rahim, who has been serving his sentence since 2017. In this blog post, we will delve into the details of the Act and how it has enabled Ram Rahim to receive 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 law allows convicted prisoners to be released for a period of 10 weeks each year, providing them with an opportunity to reintegrate into society and reconnect 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 leader of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect, was convicted of raping two of his female followers in 2017. He was sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment and has been serving his sentence in a Rohtak jail. However, despite being a convicted rapist, Ram Rahim has been able to avail of the provisions of the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022, to receive repeated parole.
The reason behind Ram Rahim’s eligibility for parole lies in the fact that he has been in jail since 2017, which means he has served more than five years of his sentence. Additionally, he has also spent two years under trial, which is also taken into account while calculating his sentence. As a result, Ram Rahim qualifies for the provision of regular parole under the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022.
The Haryana government’s decision to introduce this law has been met with criticism from various quarters. Many have argued that the law is too lenient and allows convicted prisoners like Ram Rahim to take advantage of its provisions. Others have pointed out that the law does not take into account the severity of the crime committed by the prisoner, and that it provides an opportunity for prisoners like Ram Rahim to influence the witnesses and tamper with evidence.
The issue of Ram Rahim’s parole has also raised questions about the Haryana government’s priorities. While the government has been keen to project itself as a champion of women’s rights and safety, its decision to introduce a law that allows convicted rapists like Ram Rahim to receive parole has been seen as contradictory. Many have argued that the government should prioritize the safety and well-being of the victims and their families, rather than providing relief to convicted prisoners.
The Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022, has also been criticized for its lack of clarity and transparency. The law does not provide clear guidelines on how the parole is to be granted, and it leaves a lot of discretion to the prison authorities. This has led to allegations that the law is being misused to favor certain prisoners, including Ram Rahim.
In conclusion, the Haryana government’s decision to introduce the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022, has been met with controversy and criticism. While the law aims to provide relief to prisoners who have demonstrated good conduct, its provisions have been misused by convicted prisoners like Ram Rahim to receive repeated parole. The government needs to review the law and ensure that it is not being misused to favor certain prisoners. The safety and well-being of the victims and their families should be the top priority, and the government should take steps to ensure that justice is served.
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