Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the Dera Sacha Sauda chief convicted of rape and murder, walked out of Rohtak’s Sunaria jail on Tuesday morning after being granted a 40-day parole. The controversial religious leader, who is serving a 20-year sentence, was seen leaving the prison in a cavalcade, heading to his organization’s headquarters in Sirsa, Haryana.
This latest release marks Singh’s 14th temporary freedom since 2020, raising questions about the frequency of paroles granted to high-profile convicts. The decision has reignited discussions about the judicial system’s handling of such cases, with critics pointing to the significant time Singh has spent outside prison.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s Repeated Releases: A Look at the Numbers
This is not the first instance of Singh’s temporary release. Earlier this year, in April, he was granted a 21-day furlough, contributing to a total of 326 days spent outside jail since his conviction. The repeated paroles, including this recent 40-day period, have drawn scrutiny over the criteria for granting such releases to a convict in serious crimes like rape and murder. As Singh returns to his Sirsa headquarters, public attention remains focused on the implications of his temporary freedoms and their impact on perceptions of justice in India.
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About Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is the head of Dera Sacha Sauda, a socio-spiritual organization headquartered in Sirsa, Haryana. He took over the leadership in 1990, succeeding Shah Satnam Singh. Under his leadership, the Dera expanded significantly, gaining a large following across parts of northern India, especially in Haryana and Punjab.
Singh presented himself as a spiritual leader and also became known for his flamboyant public persona, adopting the image of a “rockstar baba.” He produced and acted in films and music videos and often used media to promote his image and the activities of his organization.
Criminal Convictions
Ram Rahim’s image took a dramatic turn when he was convicted in August 2017 by a special CBI court for the rape of two female disciples at the Dera headquarters. Following the verdict, violent riots erupted, leading to over 30 deaths and hundreds of injuries.
Later, in January 2019, he was also convicted for the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati, who had exposed the sexual abuse within the Dera. In October 2021, he and four others were convicted for the murder of former Dera manager Ranjit Singh.
He is currently serving multiple sentences at Sunaria jail in Rohtak, Haryana, but has been frequently granted parole and furloughs since 2020.
