Sirsa Police is yet to give its report to the deputy commissioner on the parole application of jailed Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, with a senior police official Monday saying it will be prepared keeping in view merits and demerits of the plea.
The sect head had sought parole for over a month for farming at his fields in Haryana's Sirsa, officials had said.
He is currently lodged at Sunaria jail in Rohtak after being convicted in two rape cases and murder of a journalist.
Following his application for the parole for 42 days, the jail superintendent had written to the Sirsa district administration. In a letter dated June 18, the official had sought a report on whether releasing Gurmeet Ram Rahim on parole would be feasible or not.
In the communique, the jail superintendent mentioned that his conduct in the jail has been good and he has not violated any rule.
The Sirsa district administration has been asked to submit a report to the commissioner of Rohtak division with a copy marked to the jail superintendent.
Sirsa's Superintendent of Police Dr Arun Singh said on Monday that they have not yet given their report to the Sirsa deputy commissioner as various formalities have to be completed before doing so.
"The report will be prepared taking into account merits and demerits of the parole, if granted. On a routine basis, we prepare reports on parole applications based on merits and demerits of each case," he said over phone.
State Health Minister Anil Vij said Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh or any other prisoner is entitled to seek parole if criteria is met as per the law.
"His or anyone else's case will be considered on merit. He will be granted parole if he fulfils the conditions for it," he said.
Haryana Jail Minister Krishan Lal Panwar said the jail superintendent in his letter mentioned that Gurmeet's conduct in the prison has been good.
"He has applied for parole, which he is entitled to. There is a procedure involved. The Sirsa Police will prepare its report and submit it to the deputy commissioner," Mr Panwar said.
Haryana's Additional Chief Secretary (Home) S S Prasad told reporters in Chandigarh that every prisoner is entitled for parole depending on how important the reason is for which he is seeking parole.
"A prisoner gives application for parole which is marked to the district administration. The deputy commissioner then seeks report from the superintendent of police and the final authority is divisional commissioner, who decides after taking into account the contents of report besides making own assessment of the situation," Mr Prasad said.
"Every prisoner is entitled to parole, even if he is convicted for rape, murder or any other crime. It depends how important the reason is for which he is seeking parole. The process is defined under the Good Prisoners Act. So, it is not that a rape convict cannot get parole," he said when asked about the parole process.
On receiving the letter, the Sirsa Police had approached the Revenue Department to ascertain how much land the Dera chief owns.
In August 2017, the Dera chief was sentenced to 20 years in jail for raping two women. A special CBI court in Panchkula had in January this year also sentenced him and three others to life imprisonment for the murder of a journalist over 16 years ago.
