High Court Ruling on Dera Chief's Temporary Release Petition

The Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissed the SGPC's petition against the temporary release of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Ram Rahim. Ram Rahim, serving a 20-year sentence for rape, sought a 21-day furlough. The court emphasized that any future applications for temporary release must adhere strictly to the 2022 Act without arbitrariness or favoritism.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissed the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC)'s petition, which opposed the temporary release of the jailed Dera Sacha Sauda chief, Ram Rahim. The ruling came after Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal heard all parties and reserved their judgment.

The SGPC argued that the Dera chief, convicted of serious crimes including rape and murder, posed a threat to national sovereignty and public order if set free. Ram Rahim had previously sought a 21-day furlough and was granted a 50-day parole earlier this year.

The court highlighted that any future applications for temporary release should comply with the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022, emphasizing that the process should be free from arbitrariness and favoritism.