SAINI CLEARS RAM RAHIM'S 20-DAY PAROLE, CONG CRIES FOU

Ina move that has stirred political controversy just days ahead of Haryana's Assembly elections, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has cleared the 20-day parole application of Dera Sacha Sauda chief and convicted rapist Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on Tuesday.

- NEERAJ MOHAN

This decision has sparked outrage from the Congress, which alleges that the parole is an attempt to sway the electorate in favour of the ruling BJP.

The Congress' Haryana unit has officially written to the Chief Election Commissioner, highlighting concerns about the parole being granted to Ram Rahim, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for rape and murder. The party contends that releasing him at this juncture constitutes a direct violation of the Model Code of Conduct, which is in effect for the upcoming polls scheduled on October 5.

According to sources, ter the Chief Minister approved the parole application, it was forwarded to the Prisons Department, which then sent it to the Divisional Commissioner in Rohtak.