Chandigarh: Punjab and Haryana high court has directed Haryana govt “not to consider” any application for parole by Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim “without permission of this court”. Khattar’s govt has been facing criticism for being lenient towards the controversial Sirsa preacher by frequently releasing him on parole and furlough.
“We would like Haryana to furnish an affidavit as to how many persons having such criminal antecedents and sentenced in three cases have been granted this benefit. In the meantime, the respondent (Dera chief) may surrender on March 10…,” HC said.
According to reports, Dera chief had remained out of jail for 232 days in the past two years. He is on parole at present and will have to report back to jail on March 10 following the 50-day tenure okayed on Jan 20.
A division bench comprising acting chief justice G S Sandhawalia and Justice Lapita Banerji, passed these orders while hearing a plea filed by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC).
After going through a detailed chart of Dera chief’s release at different times, HC said it made interesting reading, keeping in view the background and antecedents of Dera chief, who has been released for 91 days each in 2022 and 2023.
In Feb 2023, SGPC had approached the HC seeking cancellation of the 40-day parole granted by Haryana to the Dera chief at the time.
