Rohtak/Sirsa: Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has once again been released from prison on a 21-day furlough, giving the convicted Dera chief another temporary break from his sentence.
Ram Rahim, who is lodged at Sunaria jail in Rohtak, Haryana, has been permitted to leave prison and travel to the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa. He is expected to reach the Sirsa dera following his release.
The latest furlough has once again brought attention to the repeated temporary releases granted to the controversial religious leader, who is serving prison sentences in several criminal cases.
Ram Rahim’s 17th Temporary Release
With the latest furlough, Ram Rahim has now received temporary release from prison on 17 occasions, according to available records.
His previous parole and furlough periods have seen him stay at the Dera Sacha Sauda’s Barnawa ashram in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh. However, his recent releases have increasingly involved the Sirsa headquarters.
The latest visit will reportedly be his third consecutive stay at the Sirsa dera.
Serving 20-Year Sentence in Rape Cases
Ram Rahim was convicted in 2017 by a special CBI court for sexually assaulting two women disciples at the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa.
The court handed him two separate 10-year prison terms. The sentences were ordered to run consecutively, resulting in a total 20-year imprisonment term in the two rape cases.
His conviction brought an end to the public prominence he had enjoyed as the head of a religious organisation with a substantial following across Haryana, Punjab and other parts of the country.
2017 Conviction Triggered Widespread Violence
Ram Rahim’s conviction in August 2017 was followed by violent clashes in parts of Haryana and Punjab.
The authorities had deployed extensive security arrangements around the court proceedings because of concerns over the large number of followers who had gathered in support of the Dera chief.
The violence left several people dead and caused significant disruption in the region, turning the conviction into one of the most closely watched criminal cases involving a religious leader in recent years.
Furloughs and Paroles Continue to Draw Attention
Ram Rahim’s repeated temporary releases have frequently attracted public and political scrutiny.
The issue has become particularly sensitive because of the Dera’s sizeable following in Haryana and Punjab, where the organisation has maintained considerable influence.
Every new parole or furlough has therefore renewed debate over the rules governing temporary release of prisoners, including how such decisions are applied to high-profile inmates.
A furlough is a temporary release granted to an eligible prisoner under prescribed rules, while parole is generally associated with temporary release under specific circumstances. The conditions and approval process can vary depending on applicable law and administrative decisions.
Ram Rahim Faces Other Serious Convictions
The rape convictions are not the only criminal cases against the Dera chief.
Ram Rahim is also serving a life sentence in connection with the murder of former Dera manager Ranjit Singh. He was separately convicted in the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati.
These cases have added to the legal controversies surrounding the Dera chief, even as he has continued to receive temporary prison releases.
Latest Furlough Puts Policy Back in Focus
The latest 21-day furlough is likely to revive questions about the repeated temporary release of Ram Rahim and the broader rules governing parole and furlough for prisoners serving serious sentences.
For now, the Dera chief is set to spend another temporary period outside Sunaria jail at the Sirsa headquarters.
His latest release comes years after his conviction transformed him from one of the region’s most influential religious figures into a prisoner serving multiple sentences.
