The Haryana government has released Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on a 30-day parole. The convict, who has been serving time in Rohtak’s Sunaria jail since August 2017, departed for his Dera in Sirsa on Tuesday morning following clearance from the local district magistrate.
This release marks the second time this year that the state government has granted parole to the preacher, following a 40-day period granted in January. With this latest 30-day term, the Dera chief has utilized his full annual allotment of parole, leaving him with only 21 days of furlough remaining for the calendar year.
The Dera chief is currently serving a sentence for the rape of female disciples, a conviction handed down by a special CBI court in Panchkula on August 25, 2017. While he was also previously convicted for the murders of former Dera manager Ranjit Singh and journalist Ram Chander Chhatarpati, those convictions were later overturned by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Jitender Khurana, counsel and spokesperson for the DSS, stated that the release was conducted in accordance with the convict’s legal entitlements. The history of the case remains sensitive, as the initial 2017 conviction sparked widespread violence across Haryana and Punjab, resulting in approximately 40 deaths.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Dera chief expected to return to custody?
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is scheduled to return to the jail barracks on June 24.
How much parole time does the Dera chief have left for the year?
Following the 30-day release granted this Tuesday, he has exhausted his annual 70-day parole limit and retains only 21 days of furlough.
What is the current status of the murder convictions against him?
While he was previously convicted for the murders of Ranjit Singh and Ram Chander Chhatarpati, he was subsequently acquitted of those charges by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Do you believe that the criteria for granting parole to convicts involved in cases that have previously incited public violence should be subject to stricter limitations?