Currently serving a 20-year jail term in Rohtak's Sunaria jail for the rape of two disciples

This latest parole approval constitutes his seventh temporary release within a span of 24 months

Manoj Kumar Pathak

New Delhi : Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, currently serving a 20-year jail term in Rohtak's Sunaria jail for the rape of two disciples, has once again been granted parole, raising eyebrows and sparking controversy. This 50-day reprieve comes merely 29 days after he returned to the Sunaria jail following a previous 21-day furlough.

During this parole period, Gurmeet Ram Rahim will be residing at an ashram located in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat, according to authorities. The decision to grant parole has been met with mixed reactions, as it marks the third time in 2023 that the controversial spiritual leader has been allowed temporary release from incarceration.

Notably, on November 21, 2023, Gurmeet Ram Rahim walked out of the jail in Rohtak on a 21-day furlough, only to return last month. The brief period spent behind bars has once again been followed by the grant of another reprieve, fueling discussions about the legal aspects and considerations surrounding parole decisions. This marks the seventh parole in the past two years and the ninth within the last four.

Critics argue that such frequent paroles undermine the severity of the crimes for which Gurmeet Ram Rahim is convicted, while supporters cite humanitarian grounds and health concerns. The controversial figure's legal battles continue to capture public attention, with the parole decision adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing saga.
Controversial Parole

The Dera chief’s parole, which began on July 30, 2023, has been the subject of much debate. The frequency and length of his temporary releases have raised eyebrows, with a total of 91 days of parole in the past year alone. His previous paroles include a 40-day parole in January 2023, a month-long parole in June 2022, and a three-week furlough on February 7, 2022. The reasons cited for these paroles range from visiting his ailing mother to holding religious discourses online.
What is Parole

Parole involves the temporary release of a prisoner, either for a specific purpose or until the completion of their sentence. The granting of parole is contingent upon the assurance of good behavior from the inmate. When a prisoner is temporarily released from jail on furlough, it signifies a brief respite from their incarceration.
Sparked controversy

Another parole to Ram Rahim sparked outrage on social media, with many prominent personalities expressing anguish over the development.

Former DCW chief and now a Rajya Sabha member, Swati Maliwal, took to X to voice her anger. "Once again Gurmeet Ram Rahim was given parole for 50 days. Is the Haryana government secretly protecting him? Is the government ready to push the daughters of the entire country into wells just to collect a few votes? At a time when the entire country is preparing for the consecration of Maryada Purushottam Prabhu Shri Ram, who fought for the dignity of women, this rapist-murderer is being set free. I will raise this issue in Parliament…" Maliwal said.

Congress leader Netta D'Souza also slammed the Haryana government's decision. "Gurmeet Ram Rahim granted parole again. How long will the BJP, which gives the slogan of save the daughter, continue to protect rapists for the sake of votes? BJP's soft attitude towards criminals from Ram Rahim to Brij Bhushan and from Asaram to Bilkis Bano shows that women's safety and respect is just a slogan for BJP and Modi ji. Will the women of India get justice like this under Modi rule?" she questioned.
Paroles to Ram Rahim

• For the first time on October 24, 2020, the government granted him one day parole to meet his mother who was ill.
• Granted parole for 1 day on 21 May 2021 to meet ailing mother for the second time.
• On 7 February 2022, the Haryana government granted him parole for 21 days.
• On June 2022, Ram Rahim was again given parole for one month.
• On October 2022, Ram Rahim was once again released on parole for 40 days.
• Ram Rahim was granted parole for 40 days on 21 January 2023 to attend Dera chief Shah Satnam's birth anniversary.
• Ram Rahim was granted parole for 30-days on July 2023
• He was granted parole for 21-days in November 2023
• Now, he's been granted 50-day parole in January 2024
  Days out of jail :- in 2017, Gurmeet Ram Rahim received a 20-year prison sentence for sexually assaulting two female followers.
  However, starting from his first parole in October 2023, Gurmeet Ram Rahim has spent 184 days out on parole in the last three years. Including the 50-day parole granted to him Friday, the controversial and rape-convict godman would spent 234 days out on parole in the last three years.
  For someone having convicted for charges as heinous as rape and murder, its is baffling that Gurmeet Ram Rahim continues to get paroles one after another.