Slain journalist’s son, castration victims ‘feel scared’

CHANDIGARH: The family of slain Sirsa journalist Ram Chander Chhatarpati and victims of castration in the dera headquarters are clear that they will oppose any parole for Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
Opposing the BJP government’s decision to consider dera chief’s parole plea, Chhatrapati’s son Anshul -- the complainant as well as main witness of his father’s murder – said, “Law and order is the main issue which should be taken into consideration while taking a decision on the appeal moved by the dera head. His only motive is to come out of jail. The government should take into account the law and order situation it faced on August 25, 2017. Who will bring him back to jail?”
Forty-two people were killed in the police action in Panchkula and Sirsa on August 25, 2017 after the CBI court convicted the dera chief in two cases of rape. Despite heavy security arrangements, his conviction triggered violence, forcing police and paramilitary personnel to open fire on the rioting mobs.
The Haryana government in January had even refused to allow the dera chief to be present for sentencing in the journalist murder case. He was, instead, presented through video conferencing and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Anshul said as the special investigation team (SIT) had failed to arrest key dera functionaries involved in the Panchkula violence, there was no surety of law and order situation after the dera chief’s release. “It is really unfortunate that the political leaders of the ruling party are openly supporting release of a person because of whom 42 people lost their lives in August 2017,” he said.
“He is the biggest threat for our entire family. We shall oppose the parole and move the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Whatever the reason for parole, law and order issues should be the top priority. We have seen in Sirsa as to how the DC had rejected the parole on grounds of law and order. I wonder how the government can put the lives of many to risk by helping a rapist and murderer,” Anshul added.
One of the complainants in the castration case against the dera chief said the Haryana government was entertaining his parole just because the assembly elections are round the corner. “Just for the sake of one convicted rapist and murderer, a hype has been created and this has put lives of some many complainants and victims like us under threat again. What is more important for the government — a convicted rapist and murderer or three crore people of Haryana?” he said.
“We have already requested the CBI to oppose his parole in the court. At the same time, we shall also move court in case the government decides to grant him parole. And most surprisingly, how can the government ignore the remarks of Punjab and Haryana High Court that his release could once again lead to law and order issue in Haryana?” the complainant said.
Both Anshul and the castration victim termed the dera chief’s appeal for parole for farming a plea to be out of jail. All the land in the name of dera have been transferred to a trust now. “When they have lakhs of followers to take care of land, what will the dera chief do there?” quipped the castration victim.