Convicted for rape and murder, Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim walks free on 40-day parole; critics raise concerns over repeated reliefs before elections.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Walks Out on Parole Again
Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, serving a 20-year jail sentence for rape and murder, was released from Sunaria jail in Rohtak, Haryana on a 40-day parole on Tuesday. This marks yet another instance of temporary release for the controversial religious leader.
According to the Dera’s official spokesperson and advocate Jitender Khurana, Singh will spend the parole period at the Dera headquarters in Sirsa, Haryana.
Convictions: Rape and Murder
- In 2017, Singh was convicted for raping two women followers at his Sirsa-based ashram.
- In 2019, he was found guilty of conspiracy and murder in the 2002 killing of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati.
Despite the severity of these convictions, Singh continues to receive regular furloughs and paroles.
Timeline of Previous Paroles and Furloughs
Singh has been out of prison on 13 occasions so far, with many releases coinciding with elections:
- April 2025: 21-day furlough
- January 2025: 30-day parole ahead of Delhi Assembly elections
- October 2024: 20-day parole before Haryana elections
- August 2024: 21-day furlough
- February 2022: 3-week furlough just before Punjab polls
Most of these releases were spent at the Barnawa Ashram in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, raising repeated concerns from political and religious bodies.
Legal Twist: Acquittal in Manager’s Murder Case
In May 2024, the Punjab and Haryana High Court acquitted Singh and four others in the 2002 murder of sect manager Ranjit Singh, citing “tainted and sketchy investigations.” This overturned the earlier life imprisonment sentence by a CBI court that found them guilty of criminal conspiracy.
Dera Sacha Sauda’s Influence
The Dera Sacha Sauda, with its headquarters in Sirsa, has millions of followers across Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and other states. Districts like Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar, Kurukshetra, and Kaithal remain strongholds of support for the sect.
However, Sikh organizations like the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) have consistently opposed the repeated paroles, alleging political favoritism.
Controversy & Concerns
Critics argue that Ram Rahim’s repeated paroles, especially before elections, indicate political motivations. The pattern of timed releases has sparked public outrage and questions over the state’s law enforcement neutrality.
With his 58th birthday coming up on August 15, speculation rises about possible large gatherings and political undercurrents during his parole.
