Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh granted parole again, leaves Rohtak jail for Sirsa ashram

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been granted parole once again, walking out of Sunaria jail in Rohtak early Tuesday morning at 6:05 am. The self-styled godman left the prison premises accompanied by a convoy and headed straight to his ashram in Sirsa, where he is expected to spend the duration of his temporary release.

This marks yet another parole grant for the controversial religious leader, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for rape and other criminal offenses. Ram Rahim was convicted in 2017 for sexually assaulting two female disciples at his Dera ashram, a verdict that triggered widespread violence across Haryana and Punjab, leaving dozens dead and hundreds injured. He is also serving a life sentence for the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati and has been convicted in additional cases including the murder of former Dera manager Ranjit Singh.

The 21-day parole comes amid ongoing scrutiny over the frequency of his temporary releases. Since his conviction, Ram Rahim has been granted parole or furlough multiple times, raising questions from opposition parties and civil society groups about potential preferential treatment. Critics have repeatedly pointed out the pattern of his releases, particularly ahead of key political events, though authorities maintain that all legal procedures are being followed.

During his parole period, Ram Rahim will remain at the Sirsa ashram under the supervision of local police. The Haryana government has not issued any official statement regarding the conditions or specific reasons for this latest parole grant. His release once again brings attention to the larger debate around prison reforms and the criteria used for granting temporary relief to convicted prisoners, especially those serving sentences for serious crimes.