Out on parole, Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim tends to animals, tries hand at gardening

Barnawa (Baghpat), July 10

Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who is out on parole for a month, can be seen reciting bhajans and preaching his followers at Dera Sacha Sauda Ashram, Barnawa, in Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh daily. He has reportedly written around 700 bhajans while serving his term in the Sunaria jail, Rohtak.

The dera head, convicted of raping of two women disciples and murdering journalist Ram Chander Chhaterpati, was released on parole on June 17. He was convicted by a special CBI court in August 2017.

The dera head reached the Barnawa ashram, which is spread over 100 acres, on June 18. All four gates of the ashram have been closed since July 26. UP Police and dera security personnel are deployed around the ashram.

Dera spokesperson Sandeep Kaur said, “Guruji starts his day by playing volleyball and badminton. He can also be seen looking after dogs and horses, besides trying his hand at gardening.”

“He has written 700 hymns in the jail, which he recites for his followers. The main theme of these hymns is to wean youths away from drugs. He interacts with his followers for hours after 4 pm daily,” she said.