Parole – Gurmeet Ram Rahim Receives Another 30-Day Temporary Release
Parole – Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the chief of the Dera Sacha Sauda organisation, was granted a fresh 30-day parole on Monday, marking the 16th temporary release he has received since 2020 from Sunaria jail in Rohtak. The controversial religious leader, who is serving sentences in multiple criminal cases, has now spent more than 400 days outside prison custody during his incarceration period.
Temporary Release Granted Again
According to prison records, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been lodged in Rohtak’s Sunaria jail under inmate number 8647/C. Since his imprisonment began, he has spent 406 days outside jail premises through paroles and furloughs granted over the years. Officials confirmed that his latest temporary release falls under the provisions available to eligible prisoners under existing prison rules.
The latest parole comes only a few months after he was granted a 40-day release in January earlier this year. Authorities have not indicated any exceptional circumstances linked to the latest decision, stating that the parole process follows legal procedures established under the prison system.
Conviction in Rape and Murder Cases
The Dera Sacha Sauda chief is currently serving a 20-year sentence after a special CBI court convicted him in 2017 for the rape of two women followers. The verdict attracted nationwide attention and led to widespread unrest in several parts of Haryana and neighbouring states at the time.
Apart from the rape conviction, Ram Rahim was later found guilty in two separate murder-related cases. In 2019, he received a life sentence for the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati, who had reportedly published articles exposing allegations linked to the Dera organisation.
He was also convicted in connection with the killing of former Dera manager Ranjit Singh. In 2021, a special court held him guilty of conspiracy in the murder case, further adding to the prison terms already being served.
Legal Provisions Behind Parole
Under existing prison regulations, inmates are allowed to seek parole for a limited duration within a calendar year, subject to approval from authorities. The rules permit eligible prisoners to avail up to 10 weeks of parole annually, which can generally be divided into two separate periods.
Officials familiar with the parole framework stated that each request is reviewed based on legal eligibility, prison conduct, and administrative conditions before approval is granted. The repeated paroles granted to the Dera chief over recent years have frequently triggered political debate and public discussion, especially considering the serious nature of the convictions against him.
Public and Political Attention Continues
Every parole granted to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh continues to attract attention due to his influence among followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect across several northern states. Political parties and social groups have often questioned the frequency of his temporary releases, while supporters argue that the paroles are being issued according to the law.
The matter has remained under close public scrutiny because of the high-profile criminal cases associated with the self-styled godman and the broader impact his organisation continues to hold in regional politics and society.