Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the head of Dera Sacha Sauda and convict in several cases of rape and murder, is once again in the headlines. The Haryana government has granted him a 21-day furlough.
Ram Rahim: Dera Sacha Sauda chief Ram Rahim has been released from prison again. Serving a sentence for rape, Ram Rahim has been granted a 21-day furlough. Upon release from Sunaria Jail in Rohtak, Gurmeet Singh, alias Ram Rahim, immediately departed for Sirsa. According to reports, his convoy left the jail around 6:45 AM and he is being transported to Sirsa under heavy police security. Notably, April 29th marks the Dera Sacha Sauda's foundation day, making this furlough particularly significant.
Honeypreet's Welcome
His close associate, Honeypreet Insan, was present to receive Ram Rahim upon his release from jail. He has been granted special permission to stay at the Sirsa Dera, his official and primary residence. Notably, this is the 13th time Gurmeet Ram Rahim has been temporarily released from prison in the past four years.
In January 2025, he was granted a 30-day parole, just before the Delhi Assembly elections. Prior to that, he received parole in October 2024, a few days before the Haryana elections.
Court Conviction
Ram Rahim was convicted in August 2017 for raping two female disciples and sentenced to 20 years in prison. In 2019, he was also given a life sentence for the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati. His 2017 conviction sparked widespread violence in Panchkula and Sirsa, resulting in 41 deaths and hundreds of injuries.
Dera's Founding and Legacy
Dera Sacha Sauda was founded on April 29, 1948, by Shah Mastana Maharaj. He was succeeded by Satnam Singh Maharaj, who, in 1990, appointed Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh as the third head. The Dera's influence extends across several states, including Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, and its impact during elections is considered politically significant. This is why opposition parties consistently question the timing of Ram Rahim's releases.
