Decision on Ram Rahim's parole after DC, SP report: Khattar

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Tuesday a decision on the parole application of Dera Sacha Sauda chief and rape-murder convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh would be taken keeping in view the interests of the state.

"Anyone who is entitled for parole can seek one. We cannot stop anyone," Khattar said at a press conference here, in which two Indian National Lok Dal legislators -- Zakir Hussain and Parminder Dhull -- joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Asked about who would be responsible in case violence breaks out if the Dera chief was granted parole, Khattar said: "You are trying to draw inference on your own as if any decision has been taken."
"Any decision, which is in the interest of the state, will be taken. If we (government) have to take any decision that is not in the interest of the state, then it won't be taken," he said. "We have not taken any decision so far (on parole issue)."
"There is no connection between the two. If under law, any convict is entitled to apply for parole he is free to do so," Vij said. "However, whether to grant one (parole) or not will be decided by the authorities concerned after taking various factors into account."