Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim out on parole again, 13th release since 2020

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was convicted of raping two of his disciples and is currently serving a 20-year jail term in connection with the case

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the jailed Dera Sacha Sauda chief, was on Wednesday granted a 21-day furlough, marking his 13th temporary release from Rohtak's Sunaria jail since 2020.

 

The Dera chief was convicted of raping two of his disciples and is currently serving a 20-year jail term in connection with the case. The case dates back to 2017.

 

Following his release from jail, he went to his Dera headquarters in Haryana's Sirsa and is expected to stay there during his furlough period, reported PTI. Ahead of Dera's foundation day on April 29, Ram Rahim Singh was seen with his supporters.

 

 

Paroles granted to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh

 

This marks his second furlough this year, after a 30-day parole in January, which came before Delhi Assembly elections, which were scheduled for February 5.

 

On October 1, 2024, he was granted parole for 20 days. This also coincided with the Haryana Assembly elections, slated for October 5. It is worth noting that some of Singh's previous paroles were in line with the elections in Punjab, Haryana, and other neighbouring states.

 

In August 2024, Singh was allowed another 21-day furlough. In February 2022, he was given three weeks' furlough, the decision of which came along the lines of the Punjab Assembly elections.

 

Out of these 13 paroles, Singh's furloughs at least 10 times were around election periods, thereby sparking debates.

 

Singh has a large number of followers in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and other states.

 

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has objected to Singh's release. In February, SGPC filed a petition in the Supreme Court. The top court, however, refused to hear a plea in connection with his temporary release.

 

In May 2024, the Punjab and Haryana High Court acquitted Singh and four others in a 2002 case related to the murder of former Dera Sacha Sauda manager Ranjit Singh, citing inconsistencies in the investigation.

 

(with inputs from agencies)