ROHTAK — Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, currently serving a 20-year sentence for the rape of two female followers, has been granted a 21-day parole from Sunaria Jail in Haryana’s Rohtak district.
This temporary release marks the 17th time the self-styled godman has been granted parole or furlough since his initial conviction in 2017. Following administrative approval, he is expected to travel directly to the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa.
Pattern of Temporary Releases
The latest 21-day parole follows several previous temporary leaves approved by prison authorities:
-
May 2026: Granted a 30-day parole, which was spent at the Sirsa headquarters.
-
January 2026: Approved for a 40-day parole period.
-
August 2025: Received a 40-day parole.
-
April 2025: Released on a 21-day furlough.
-
January 2025: Granted a 30-day parole prior to the Delhi Assembly elections.
Legal Background and Recent Acquittal
While Ram Rahim remains incarcerated for sexual assault convictions, his legal status regarding other cases has seen recent developments:
-
2002 Journalist Murder Case Acquittal: In March 2026, the Punjab and Haryana High Court acquitted Ram Rahim in the murder case of Sirsa-based journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati.
-
High Court Bench Ruling: A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Vikram Aggarwal overturned the 2019 special CBI court conviction after reviewing evidence inconsistencies, specifically regarding bullet forensics. The court upheld the convictions for two other accused individuals in the case.
-
Sect Influence: The Dera Sacha Sauda maintains a large follower base across northern India, with substantial presence in Haryana districts such as Sirsa, Fatehabad, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, and Hisar, as well as parts of Punjab and Rajasthan.
