Ram Rahim's Plea For Parole: High Court Asks Haryana Govt To Submit How Many Parole Applications Had Been Rejected Citing 'Law & Order' Situation

The Punjab & Haryana High Court today, asked the Haryana Government to submit an affidavit on how many paroles have been rejected citing the law and order situation as the "court is flooded" by petitions challenging the same.

The development came while hearing an application filed by self-styled Godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim to vacate the order wherein the High Court directed him to surrender on March 10 (day on which his present parole was ending) and asked the Haryana Government to not consider his case for grant of further parole without the permission of the High Court. 

Acting Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Lapita Banerji issued notice on the above application filed in a PIL to the petitioner and state authorities.

Senior Advocate Chetan Mittal appearing for Ram Rahim submitted that the order is prejudicing his rights as he is eligible for parole of 20 more days and furlough of 21 days in this year as per the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022 and as also granted to other similar placed convicts.

He further contended that in the same order, the Court has sought an affidavit from the Haryana Government regarding how many persons, having criminal antecedents similar to Ram Rahim and sentenced in three cases, have been granted the benefit of parole. "The same has been filed by the State; hence, the order should be modified, and the State should be allowed to consider his application (for parole)," added Mittal.

Perusing the affidavit, Acting Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia asked the Haryana Government to give details of how many paroles have been rejected citing a "law and order situation" as the Court is flooded with petitions challenging such orders.

Title: Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee v. State of Haryana and others

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