Sirsa dera chief gets parole; 14th outing in 5 years

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, a rape-and-murder convict, was released on a 40-day parole from Sunaria jail in Rohtak district this morning.

The dera head is undergoing 20-year imprisonment in connection with the rape of his two disciples. He has also been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati.

He left the jail early Tuesday morning and went straight to the dera headquarters in Sirsa. Shortly after reaching there, Ram Rahim released a video message, saying, “You all come for darshan and always listen to us. So, with folded hands, I request you to follow the guidance given to you by the dera management. Stay at your own places and keep doing the good work you are already doing. Many congratulations to you for your service.”

Dera spokesperson Jitendra Khurana said the parole was granted legally by the state authorities and that Ram Rahim would stay at the Sirsa dera during this period. As per sources, Ram Rahim took parole this time to celebrate his 58th birthday, which falls on August 15. However, the administration has not allowed him to hold any large gatherings at the dera. He is only permitted to connect with his followers virtually.

This is for the 14th time that he has been released from the jail on a furlough or parole ever since he was awarded the jail term by a special CBI court in August 2017.

The dera head was released for a day for the first time in October 2020, then on a 12-hour parole in May 2021, both times to visit his ailing mother. He was later released for 21 days in February 2022, 30 days in June 2022, 40 days in October 2022, 40 days in January 2023, 30 days in July 2023, 21 days in November 2023, 50 days in January 2024, 21 days in August 2024, 20 days in October 2024, 30 days in January 2025, 21 days in April 2025 and 40 days on August 5, 2025.

The grant of frequent paroles and furloughs to the dera chief often coinciding with elections in Haryana and neighbouring states have raised eyebrows.