Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim granted 40-day parole for 15th time since conviction
During the parole period, Ram Rahim will stay at the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa. He is scheduled to be released from jail around noon. Ram Rahim is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for raping two of his followers.
New Delhi: Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who is serving a life sentence in Rohtak's Sunaria Jail in cases related to the rape of two women and the murder of a journalist, is set to be released once again on 40 days' parole.
During the parole period, Ram Rahim will stay at the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa. He is scheduled to be released from jail around noon. Ram Rahim is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for raping two of his followers.
Out of jail for 15th time since conviction
Convicted in the rape cases in August 2017, Ram Rahim will be stepping out of jail for the 15th time since his conviction. Most recently, he was released on parole on August 15 to mark his birthday. Earlier, he was granted a 21-day parole in April and a 30-day parole in January, a week ahead of the Delhi assembly elections, during which he stayed at the Sirsa headquarters. On previous occasions, he has also stayed at the Dera ashram in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh.
Soon after reaching Sirsa during earlier releases, Ram Rahim had issued video messages urging his followers to adhere to instructions issued by Dera officials. While he is not permitted to hold physical gatherings at the Dera, he is allowed to communicate with followers virtually.
Ram Rahim serving 20 years in prison
In August 2017, a Panchkula court convicted Ram Rahim in two rape cases and sentenced him to 20 years in prison, also ordering him to pay Rs 15 lakh as compensation to each victim. Following the conviction, violence broke out in Panchkula and Sirsa as his supporters clashed with security forces, leaving more than 40 people dead. Ram Rahim was subsequently airlifted by helicopter from Panchkula to Sunaria Jail.
Ram Rahim was first released on parole on October 24, 2020 (one day), followed by multiple releases: May 21, 2021 (12 hours to visit his ailing mother); February 7, 2022 (21 days); June 2022 (30 days); October 14, 2022 (40 days); January 21, 2023 (40 days); July 20, 2023 (30 days); November 21, 2023 (21 days); January 19, 2024 (50 days); August 13, 2024 (21 days); October 2, 2024 (20 days); January 28, 2025 (30 days); April 9, 2025 (21 days); and August 5, 2025 (40 days).