PARAMJIT SINGH SAHOLI Vs. STATE OF HARYANA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner has preferred this writ petition for the issuance of an appropriate writ, order or direction thereby quashing the order, vide which Gurmit Ram Rahim has been ordered to be released on furlough by the respondent-State, especially during when Assembly Elections in Punjab were scheduled for 20/2/2022.

(2.) The present petition was filed on 11/2/2022 and the same was re-filed on 14/2/2022 after removing some objections. The matter came up for hearing on 18/2/2022. Notice of motion was issued on that day with notice re:stay. The case was ordered to be listed on 21/2/2022. On 21/2/2022, the case could not be heard as the same was assigned to an earmarked State counsel. The case was adjourned to 23/2/2022. On the adjourned date, the case was argued by learned counsel for both the sides to some extent and thereafter, learned counsel for the petitioner sought time to supplement his arguments on the basis of precedents. The case was finally argued before this Court on 25/2/2022 and the order was kept reserved.

(3.) Learned counsel for the petitioner vehemently submitted that respondent No.11 is undergoing sentence in rape case as well as in murder case. He falls under the category of hardcore prisoner and has not completed the requisite period for grant of furlough. His release on furlough soon before the Assembly Elections in Punjab is an act of mala fide in order to materially affect the Assembly Elections in Punjab.