Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, chief of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect, was released on parole from Sunaria jail in Rohtak [1].
His release has reignited public debate over the security implications of his frequent absences from prison and potential political trade-offs involving the Haryana government.
Singh left the Sunaria jail at 6:30 a.m. on Jan. 5, 2024 [2], and arrived at the Dera headquarters in Sirsa by 9:15 a.m. [2]. He traveled in a convoy of luxury vehicles to reach the sect's base [1].
This marks the 16th time Singh has been released since his imprisonment, and it is his second release of the year [1]. Reports on the length of the current parole vary; one source said the duration is 30 days [3], while another said it is a 40-day term [4].
Singh is serving multiple sentences, including a 20-year term for rape [3] and a life term for murder [1]. According to available records, he has spent a total of 3,054 days — approximately eight years — under sentence [4]. During that period, he has spent 365 days outside of confinement [4].
While the parole was granted as a legal permission, the move sparked controversy regarding the frequency of these releases [3]. Critics said the legal process is being used to facilitate political gains given the influence of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect in the region [4].
“This marks the 16th time Singh has been released since his imprisonment”
The repeated granting of parole to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh highlights a tension between legal entitlements to prisoner release and the perceived risk of social instability. Because the Dera Sacha Sauda sect maintains a large and devoted following, his presence at the Sirsa headquarters often creates security challenges for local authorities and fuels allegations that the legal system is being leveraged for political expediency.
