Chandigarh: A controversial leader of Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) Sirsa, Gurmeet Ram Rahim approached Punjab and Haryana High Court to direct him a period of 21 days leave So that he can carry out “welfare activities” outside the prison during this time. The application was made by the head of DSS for leave but the stay order issued on 29th February has not been looked into yet.
in his earlier filed petition. HC, states the Dera chief who is the spiritual leader of its followers and every two years in June holds “Sewadar Shradhanjali Bhandara”, an event commemorating ordinary volunteers who gave their lives to social service work and were killed. Express condolences in case of accidents, severe sickness or other exigencies offering all possible assistance to grieving families.
“It should also be noted here that such an array of Welfare activities are undertaken by DSS led by petitioner as large-scale tree planting, de-addiction from drug addiction, marriage of poor girls etc., which all need incentives from petitioner.
Hence, he had prayed for directions to consider and decide leave application under law under Haryana Prisoners Good Conduct (Provisional Release) Act 2022.
It is believed that parole and furlough have been granted by the state government to 89 criminals who had been convicted and sentenced in three or more cases including life imprisonment and fixed periods. In its order dated April 7th, 2022 Supreme Court opined that Dera Chief does not come under definition of hardcore convicted criminal since he was not convicted in two murder cases U/s 302 IPC but Convicted in two murder cases.
It also came before the HC that pursuant to Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Provisional Release) Act, 2022 eligible convicts are entitled for seventy days parole every year besides twenty-one days’ leave per year.
His petition also mentioned that he never misused parole or furlough facilities in the past and always presented himself for surrender promptly, without any preferential treatment.
20 days of parole and 21 days of leave are said to have been pending with relevant authorities according to the DSS chief.
The controversial preacher is a rape and murder convict and is presently detained at Rohtak jail.
On February 29, the Supreme Court ordered that future Parole applications of Dera Chief shall not be accepted by the state government without court’s permission.
Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) has filed petition in relation to frequent release of DSS chief, Sirsa on Parole or Leave despite his rape and murder convictions , case is sub-judice before Supreme Court.
