Gurmeet Ram Rahim gets 30-day parole, 16th release since 2017 conviction

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh who was convicted in rape cases has been granted a 30-day parole by the Haryana government, marking his 16th temporary release since his conviction in 2017.

Ram Rahim, is serving a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted in a rape case involving two women followers, walked out of Sunaria jail in Rohtak on May 26 under tight security arrangements.

He is expected to stay at the Dera’s ashram in Barnawa, Uttar Pradesh, during the parole period.

Multiple paroles since conviction

Since being convicted by a special CBI court in 2017, Ram Rahim has repeatedly received parole or furlough from Haryana authorities.

The latest release marks the 16th time he has been granted temporary leave from prison over the past several years. His repeated paroles have frequently triggered political criticism and legal scrutiny, especially during election periods.

Opposition parties and activists have earlier questioned the timing and frequency of the paroles, alleging preferential treatment. The Haryana government has maintained that parole decisions are taken according to legal provisions and prison rules.

Convicted in rape and murder cases

Ram Rahim was convicted in August 2017 in a rape case involving two women disciples from the Dera Sacha Sauda sect.

The conviction had triggered large-scale violence in parts of Haryana and Punjab, leaving several people dead and resulting in widespread property damage.

He was later also convicted in the murder case of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati, who had reported on allegations against the Dera chief.

The self-styled godman continues to retain a significant following, particularly across parts of Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan.

Ram Rahim’s temporary releases have often attracted political attention because of the Dera Sacha Sauda’s influence among certain voter groups in north India.

The sect has historically been seen as electorally influential in parts of Haryana and Punjab, with political parties frequently accused by rivals of attempting to cultivate its support.

Previous paroles granted to Ram Rahim have coincided with election seasons or politically sensitive periods, leading to criticism from opposition leaders and victims’ rights groups.

The Haryana government, however, has repeatedly denied any political considerations in granting parole.

Authorities have not announced any special public appearances or programmes linked to the latest parole period.