ROHTAK / SIRSA — Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh walked out of the high-security Sunaria jail in Rohtak early Tuesday morning after being granted a 21-day furlough.
Escorted under tight security arrangements, the sect chief left the prison complex around 6:05 AM and headed straight toward the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa, where he is scheduled to stay during the relief period.
This marks the 17th temporary release—comprising both paroles and furloughs—for the controversial sect leader since 2020. His latest release comes less than two months after he returned to the Rohtak prison on June 26 following the completion of a 30-day parole granted in May. Earlier this year, in January, he had also been granted a 40-day parole.
Serving Sentences for Serious Convictions
Gurmeet Ram Rahim was convicted in August 2017 for raping two female disciples and was sentenced to a 20-year prison term (two 10-year terms to run consecutively). He was also convicted alongside others in connection with the murder of Sirsa-based journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati, who had exposed the allegations of sexual exploitation at the sect’s headquarters.
Under the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, eligible convicts are allowed up to 70 days of parole and 21 days of furlough per calendar year, subject to statutory conditions and clearance by designated authorities.
Political and Legal Backdrop
The frequent granting of temporary relief to the Dera chief has regularly drawn scrutiny from legal experts, civil society members, and political leaders, who question the frequency of releases for convicts serving sentences in grave criminal offenses.
Opposing voices, including regional politicians, have alleged that temporary releases granted to high-profile figures often coincide with crucial political developments or elections in nearby states. However, prison authorities maintain that all releases are executed strictly within the framework of state prison rules and administrative protocols.
