Gurmeet Ram Rahim Released on 40-Day Parole, Returns to Sirsa Headquarters
Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, currently serving multiple sentences for rape and murder, was released from Rohtak’s Sunaria Jail on Tuesday morning after being granted a 40-day parole. This marks his 14th temporary release from prison since 2020. Following his release, Singh traveled in a heavily-guarded convoy to the Dera headquarters in Sirsa, Haryana, where he is expected to remain during the parole period.
According to Jitender Khurana, a spokesperson and legal representative of the Dera, Singh will reside within the sect’s Sirsa compound for the entirety of the parole duration. The controversial religious leader is expected to observe his birthday, which falls on August 15, while outside prison.
Singh, who will turn 58 this month, was convicted in 2017 for the sexual assault of two of his female followers. In 2019, he was further convicted, along with several others, for the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati. The journalist had been investigating and reporting on illegal activities and sexual abuse inside the Dera premises, leading to his assassination in 2002.
Frequent Parole Raises Eyebrows
Singh’s repeated temporary releases have drawn criticism from civil society, opposition leaders, and rights groups. Many have expressed concern over the perceived leniency shown to a convict serving sentences for serious crimes, including rape and murder. With this latest parole, Singh has now spent a total of 326 days outside of prison over the last five years, despite his life sentence.
In April this year, he was granted a 21-day furlough, a temporary release usually granted to allow a prisoner to maintain familial ties or attend to personal matters. This time, the reason behind the parole was not officially disclosed. However, similar previous releases have often coincided with festivals, significant Dera events, or Singh’s birthday.
Security Tightened in Sirsa
Following Singh’s release, security was stepped up in and around the Dera compound in Sirsa. Local police have reportedly been deployed in large numbers to ensure law and order is maintained. In past instances, Singh’s presence has attracted crowds of followers, raising fears of potential unrest or large gatherings that violate public safety protocols.
Sirsa district officials have stated that precautionary measures have been implemented and that Singh’s activities will be closely monitored during his parole. No public events involving the Dera head have been announced yet, though live-streamed appearances or spiritual discourses online remain a possibility, as seen during earlier releases.
Political Angle Remains Unclear
While authorities maintain that the parole has followed due process, political observers suggest that the frequent temporary releases of Singh may have electoral motivations. With the Dera Sacha Sauda enjoying a massive following in Haryana, Punjab, and parts of Rajasthan, political parties across the spectrum have, in the past, sought to court the sect’s support during elections.
Singh’s temporary freedom often coincides with politically sensitive periods, and critics argue that his parole could be aimed at mobilizing the Dera’s voter base. Although the government has denied any such links, the pattern has not gone unnoticed.
#Chandigarh : Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim walks out of Rohtak’s #Sunaria Jail on 40-day parole.
Under police security, he heads to Sirsa Dera where he’ll stay during parole.
Lawyer says release is “within legal framework.”#ramrahim#punjabharyanahighcourt pic.twitter.com/Z9g2aRiYZH— Karan Verma (@Mekaranverma) August 5, 2025
Background and Legal History
Singh was first convicted in August 2017 by a special CBI court in Panchkula for the rape of two women disciples. Following the conviction, large-scale violence broke out in parts of Haryana and Punjab, leaving over 30 people dead and hundreds injured. In 2019, he was convicted again in the murder of Ram Chander Chhatrapati, who had exposed the sexual exploitation within the sect.
Apart from these, Singh is also facing trials in other criminal cases, including the alleged castration of male followers and illegal land encroachments. Despite the severity of the crimes, his regular paroles have kept him frequently in the public eye.
As Gurmeet Ram Rahim begins his latest 40-day parole, the debate over justice, law, and influence continues to simmer — drawing attention not just to the man himself but also to the institutions that grant him repeated liberty.
