Rohtak/Sirsa (Balwinder Singh): Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been granted another 21-day furlough, allowing the jailed leader to temporarily leave Sunaria prison in Rohtak and travel to the Dera headquarters in Sirsa.
The latest release marks another temporary period outside prison for Ram Rahim, who is serving a 20-year sentence after being convicted of raping two women disciples. His repeated parole and furlough periods have continued to attract attention because of his influence among followers in Haryana and Punjab.
Ram Rahim Heads to Sirsa After Release
Following his release from Sunaria jail, Ram Rahim is expected to travel to the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa.
The Sirsa headquarters has become the destination for his recent temporary releases. This will reportedly be his third consecutive stay there after earlier periods in which he was allowed to remain at the Dera’s Barnawa ashram in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh.
According to available information, the latest furlough takes the number of occasions on which Ram Rahim has been temporarily released from prison to 17.
Convicted in Two Rape Cases
Ram Rahim was convicted in 2017 by a special CBI court for sexually assaulting two women followers at the Dera’s headquarters in Sirsa.
He received two 10-year prison terms, with the sentences ordered to run consecutively. The combined sentence therefore amounts to 20 years in prison.
The conviction brought a major legal setback for the Dera chief, who had previously commanded a large following across several northern Indian states.
Other Murder Convictions
Ram Rahim’s legal troubles extend beyond the rape cases.
He is also serving a life sentence in the murder case involving former Dera manager Ranjit Singh. In another case, he was convicted in connection with the killing of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati.
The multiple convictions have remained central to the debate surrounding his repeated temporary releases from prison.
Why Ram Rahim’s Furloughs Attract Scrutiny
Ram Rahim has been granted parole or furlough on multiple occasions since his imprisonment. Each temporary release has generated considerable public and political discussion.
One reason for the heightened attention is the Dera Sacha Sauda’s sizeable following in Haryana and Punjab. The organisation has historically had a significant presence in the region, making the movements and public appearances of its chief particularly sensitive.
The latest furlough has once again brought the rules governing temporary prison releases into focus, especially when they involve prisoners convicted in high-profile criminal cases.
2017 Conviction Led to Deadly Violence
The Dera chief’s conviction in August 2017 was followed by widespread violence in parts of Haryana and Punjab.
Large numbers of his supporters had gathered around the court proceedings, and the situation escalated after the verdict. Several people were killed and widespread damage was reported during the unrest.
The episode remains one of the most significant controversies associated with the Dera chief’s legal battle.
Temporary Release Puts Spotlight on Prison Rules
Furloughs and paroles are mechanisms through which eligible prisoners can receive temporary release under applicable rules and conditions. Such releases can be granted for reasons and circumstances defined by the relevant prison regulations.
In Ram Rahim’s case, however, the frequency of temporary releases has made each new order a subject of close public attention.
The latest 21-day furlough means the Dera chief will once again spend a limited period outside Sunaria jail before he is expected to return to custody.
