Rape And Murder Convict Dera Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Granted Another 40-Day Parole

Rohtak: Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been granted a 40-day parole, marking his 15th temporary release since his conviction in 2017. 

Ram Rahim, who is expected to spend the duration of his release at the Dera’s ashram in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, or his headquarters in Sirsa, depending on specific bail conditions.

He is serving a 20-year prison sentence for the rape of two disciples and life imprisonment for the murder of a journalist, and walked out of Sunaria Jail in Rohtak early Sunday morning.

The Haryana government’s decision to approve the 40-day release follows a pattern that has been labelled as "preferential treatment." 

Under the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022, convicts are entitled to regular parole periods provided they maintain good conduct. 

However, the timing of Ram Rahim’s releases has drawn fire from opposition parties and civil rights activists.

A History of Controversy 

With this latest release, the total number of days Ram Rahim has spent away from his cell since October 2020 now surpasses 300. This 40-day parole is the third such instance in 202, following releases in January and April. 

The administration continues to frame these as merit-based "good conduct" releases; critics point to their frequent alignment with elections as evidence of political influence. 

The self-styled godman is currently serving a 20-year sentence for the rape of two disciples and a life term for the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati. His previous paroles include:

• January 2026: Granted his latest 40-day parole.
• August 2025: Released for 40 days to celebrate his birthday.
• April 2025: Granted a 21-day furlough.
• January 2025: Released on a 30-day parole ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections.

Since 2020, Ram Rahim has spent over 330 days outside of his cell. To his millions of followers, these releases are a blessing; to his victims and legal experts, they are a “mockery of the law.”

Under the terms of his parole, the convict is restricted to specific ashram locations in Uttar Pradesh or Sirsa. 

To manage security risks, authorities have barred him from political activities and restricted his interactions with the public.

Activists argue that the leniency shown to a convict of such heinous crimes undermines the morale of the survivors and the integrity of the judiciary.