In a landmark decision, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a directive to the Haryana government, putting a halt to any future parole grants for Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the head of Dera Sacha Sauda, who is convicted of rape and murder charges. The court's decree came on Thursday, spotlighting concerns over the regular parole releases awarded to Ram Rahim, despite his serious criminal convictions.

Currently on parole since January 19, Ram Rahim has been ordered to return to custody by March 10 at 5 PM. Post his surrender, the state is required to obtain court approval before any parole can be considered for him. This development follows heightened scrutiny over Ram Rahim's parole benefits, which he has enjoyed repeatedly since 2022.

A bench led by Acting Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Justice Lapita Banerji highlighted the importance of judicial oversight in parole decisions, arguing that state authorities should not have the sole discretion to grant parole to convicts. The court's intervention was in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) by the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, challenging the logic behind Ram Rahim's frequent parole, given his criminal activities.

The court was informed that in both 2022 and 2023, Ram Rahim received 91 days of parole. Despite an ongoing PIL against one such decision, the Haryana government extended parole to him three additional times, totalling 101 days. This pattern of leniency towards a convict of multiple crimes prompted the court to question the state on its parole criteria for individuals with similar criminal records.

Ram Rahim's criminal record includes two convictions in 2017 for raping two women, each leading to ten-year prison terms. In 2019, he was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, receiving a life sentence, followed by another life sentence in 2021 for murder. Despite these charges, the decision to grant him parole has been widely criticized, raising concerns about fairness and accountability in the justice system.

The state has been ordered to provide a detailed account of paroles granted to individuals with comparable criminal histories, demonstrating the court's dedication to justice and transparency and ensuring that parole decisions consider public safety and crime severity.

As the deadline for Ram Rahim's surrender approaches, this ruling signifies a critical juncture in his legal battle, reinforcing the principle that no individual can evade the law, no matter their position or power.