Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim has once again got furlough. Ram Rahim got 21 days furlough, after which he came out of Sunaria jail on Tuesday.
Ram Rahim was released from Haryana’s Sunaria jail on Tuesday morning around 6.30 am under police protection. He will spend the furlough period at Barnawa Ashram in Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh.
The Dera chief had sought furlough in June 2024
Rape convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh had once again sought furlough in June 2024. Ram Rahim had approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court for a 21-day furlough. But earlier in February, the High Court had asked the Haryana government not to grant further parole to the Dera Sacha Sauda chief without its permission. At that time, the High Court was hearing a petition filed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, which had challenged the temporary release of the Dera Sacha Sauda chief.
He was granted 50 days parole on January 19
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is serving a 20-year jail sentence in the case of raping two of his disciples and is lodged in Sunaria jail in Rohtak district. He was granted 50 days parole on January 19. It was also extended for 10 days.
What is furlough?
Furlough is like a leave in which the prisoner is released for a few days. The furlough period is seen as a relaxation in the prisoner’s sentence and his right. It is available only to a convicted prisoner. It is usually given to a prisoner who has been sentenced for a long time. Its purpose is to enable the prisoner to meet his family and society. It can also be given without any reason. Since jail is a state subject, every state has different rules regarding furlough. There is no provision for furlough in Uttar Pradesh.
What is the difference between furlough and parole?
Furlough and parole are two different things. Both are mentioned in the Prison Act 1894. Furlough is granted only to a convicted prisoner. Whereas on parole, any prisoner can be released for a few days. Apart from this, no reason is required for granting furlough. But there must be a reason for parole. Parole is granted only when someone in the prisoner’s family dies, someone in the blood relation gets married or some other important reason. Parole can also be refused to a prisoner. The officer granting parole can refuse by saying that releasing the prisoner is not in the interest of society.
In which case is Ram Rahim serving sentence?
Ram Rahim is serving a 20-year sentence in the case of raping two female followers at his ashram in Sirsa. Ram Rahim was convicted in the case by a special CBI court in Panchkula in August 2017. Apart from this, the court also sentenced Gurmeet Ram Rahim to life imprisonment in the case of murder of former Dera manager Ranjit Singh.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)