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 raised eyebrows across the country. This Act allows convicted prisoners to be released for 10 weeks each year, and also permits ‘hardcore convicted prisoners’ who have served at least five years of their sentence, including two years under trial, to receive regular parole. One notable beneficiary of this provision is rape convict Ram Rahim, who has been in jail since 2017 and qualifies for this provision.
Ram Rahim, the disgraced spiritual leader of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect, was convicted of rape in 2017 and sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment. Despite his conviction, Ram Rahim has been granted repeated parole, thanks to the Haryana government’s new legislation. This has sparked outrage among many, who question the government’s decision to grant parole to a convicted rapist.
The Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022, is intended to provide relief to prisoners who have demonstrated good conduct during their imprisonment. The Act allows prisoners to be released for a period of 10 weeks each year, provided they have maintained good behavior and have not been involved in any disciplinary incidents during their imprisonment. Additionally, the Act also provides for the release of ‘hardcore convicted prisoners’ who have served at least five years of their sentence, including two years under trial.
However, critics argue that the Act is being misused to grant parole to high-profile prisoners like Ram Rahim, who do not deserve such leniency. Ram Rahim’s conviction for rape is a serious offense, and many believe that he should not be granted parole, given the severity of his crime.
The Haryana government’s decision to grant parole to Ram Rahim has also raised questions about the effectiveness of the justice system in the country. Many argue that the government’s decision to grant parole to a convicted rapist undermines the rule of law and sends a wrong message to society. It also raises concerns about the safety and well-being of women, who are already vulnerable to violence and exploitation.
Moreover, the fact that Ram Rahim has been granted repeated parole has sparked concerns about the influence and power that he still wields, despite being behind bars. Ram Rahim’s followers, who are spread across the country, still regard him as their spiritual leader, and his release on parole has been seen as a victory for them. This has raised concerns about the potential for violence and lawlessness, particularly in areas where Ram Rahim’s followers are concentrated.
The Haryana government’s decision to grant parole to Ram Rahim has also been criticized by women’s rights activists, who argue that it is a setback for the fight against violence against women. The conviction of Ram Rahim was seen as a major victory for women’s rights, and his release on parole is being seen as a reversal of that victory.
In conclusion, the Haryana government’s Act, which allows convicted prisoners to be released for 10 weeks each year, has helped rape convict Ram Rahim get repeated parole. While the Act is intended to provide relief to prisoners who have demonstrated good conduct, its provisions are being misused to grant parole to high-profile prisoners like Ram Rahim. The government’s decision to grant parole to a convicted rapist has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the justice system and the safety and well-being of women. It is imperative that the government reviews its decision and ensures that the provisions of the Act are not misused to grant parole to prisoners who do not deserve it.
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