Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, chief of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect, was granted a 21-day [1] furlough from Sunaria jail on Tuesday.
The release of the convicted leader often draws significant attention due to his large following and the nature of his crimes. His frequent temporary absences from prison have previously sparked debate over the application of parole and furlough rules for high-profile convicts.
Singh walked out of the Sunaria jail in Rohtak, Haryana, on Aug. 25 [2]. This marks the 17th [2] time he has been granted a temporary release since his conviction. While some reports date these releases as starting from 2020 [1], others state the count began following his conviction in 2017 [3].
The sect leader is currently serving a 20-year [1] prison sentence. Prison authorities granted the current furlough as part of the regular parole system available to inmates serving long-term sentences [1].
During the 21-day [1] period, Singh will stay at the Dera headquarters located in Sirsa [3]. He is expected to return to the Rohtak facility once the furlough period expires.
Singh was convicted in 2017 [3] on charges including rape. His tenure in prison has been punctuated by these repeated temporary releases, which are permitted under the state's prison manual for eligible prisoners.
“Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was granted a 21-day furlough from Sunaria jail on Tuesday.”
The repeated granting of furlough to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh highlights the tension between standard prison administrative protocols and the public perception of justice for high-profile convicts. By utilizing the regular parole system, the convict continues to maintain a physical presence at his sect's headquarters, ensuring his ongoing influence over followers despite his 20-year sentence.
