In a development that has once again stirred public discourse, Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh walked out of Sunaria jail in Rohtak on a 40-day parole. This marks the fifteenth time the convicted godman has been released on either parole or furlough since his high-profile conviction in 2017.
A Pattern of Temporary Releases
The latest parole was granted by the Haryana government authorities, allowing the 56-year-old sect leader to leave the prison facility. According to reports, Ram Rahim was released from the Sunaria jail on the morning of January 5, 2026. His legal team had applied for the parole, citing specific grounds which were approved by the concerned district administration.
This release continues a well-documented pattern. Since being convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison for the rape of two female disciples in August 2017, and later given a life sentence for the murder of a journalist, Ram Rahim has frequently been granted temporary release. These releases have included multiple paroles and furloughs, often sparking debates about the application of prison rules to high-profile inmates.
Legal Framework and Public Reaction
The parole was sanctioned under the relevant provisions of the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022. Officials have stated that due procedure was followed in granting this temporary release. However, each release of the Dera chief has historically been met with a mix of reactions.
While his millions of followers celebrate his temporary freedom, critics and survivors' groups have consistently questioned the frequency and timing of these releases. The parole periods have often seen the sect leader resume activities at his Dera's headquarters in Sirsa, addressing followers and managing the sect's affairs, which his organization claims are essential for its spiritual and social welfare functions.
Security and Future Implications
As with previous instances, elaborate security arrangements were made for his movement from the Rohtak jail to his base. The state police remain on alert to prevent any law and order situation, mindful of the violent protests that followed his initial conviction in 2017, which led to significant loss of life and property.
This 40-day parole period will once again put a spotlight on the parole system in India, especially concerning convicts serving time for serious crimes. Legal experts point out that parole is a legal right intended for rehabilitation and maintaining family ties, but its repeated use in certain cases raises questions about uniformity and the principles behind its grant.
As Ram Rahim spends another extended period outside prison walls, the eyes of the nation will be on Haryana's administration and the judicial oversight of such decisions. The case continues to be a litmus test for the country's criminal justice system, balancing legal provisions with societal expectations of justice and deterrence.
