Nagpur: Rape convict and Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been provided Z-plus security on his release from jail. This development comes after threats to his life from pro-Khalistan activists.
Rahim is currently serving life imprisonment for the murder of former journalist Ramchandra Chhatrapati and raping two Dera disciples. He was released from Rhotak’s Sunaria jail on 21-day furlough on February 7. He was convicted by a special CBI court in Panchkula in 2017.
Haryana chief minister ML Khattar said the furlough has nothing to do with the elections.
Dera followers, particularly of Ram Rahim Singh are influential in Malwa region. The votes from the region are seen as key in deciding parliamentary and legislative elections.
The government tends to provide security to an individual based on a comprehensive threat assessment. In India, security covers are: X, Y, Y-plus, Z and Z-plus. The last and the highest one, known as the SPG cover is only meant for the prime minister and his family. Besides this, Z-plus security has been given to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and her children—Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi.
