In a significant development, the Haryana government has granted a 40-day parole to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. The controversial spiritual leader, currently serving sentences for rape and murder, will be allowed to spend this parole period at the sect's sprawling headquarters in Sirsa.
Details of the Parole Order
The parole was approved by the district authorities in Sirsa. According to the official order, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's parole period began on January 4, 2026. The order explicitly states that he must remain within the premises of the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa for the entire duration of his release.
This is not the first time the Dera chief has been released on parole. He has been granted several such temporary releases in the past few years, often citing reasons like farming or meeting family. However, each release has sparked controversy and drawn criticism from various quarters, including opposition parties and victim advocacy groups.
Legal Background and Current Incarceration
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is serving a 20-year prison sentence for the rape of two of his female disciples. This conviction was delivered by a special CBI court in Panchkula back in August 2017. The verdict triggered widespread violence and riots among his followers, resulting in significant loss of life and property damage.
Additionally, the Dera chief was convicted and given a life sentence for the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati in 2002. Chhatrapati was a journalist who had published reports alleging sexual exploitation within the Dera. Singh was also convicted in the murder case of a former Dera manager, Ranjit Singh.
Despite his convictions, he maintains a massive following, with the Dera Sacha Sauda sect claiming millions of devotees, primarily in the northern states of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
Security and Political Implications
The decision to grant parole is likely to have wide-ranging implications. Authorities in Sirsa are expected to deploy heavy security around the Dera complex to prevent any untoward incidents. Past releases have seen huge gatherings of his supporters, creating major law and order challenges for the local police and administration.
The move has also ignited a political firestorm. Opposition parties in Haryana have frequently accused the state's government of appeasing the Dera chief and his influential voter base for political gains. They argue that frequent paroles undermine the judicial process and make a mockery of the justice delivered to the victims.
Proponents of the parole cite legal provisions and humanitarian grounds, suggesting that every convict has certain rights. The state government has typically maintained that such decisions are made by district authorities based on established rules and the prisoner's conduct.
As Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh settles into his 40-day stay at the Sirsa ashram, the situation remains tense. The eyes of the nation are on Sirsa, watching for any developments that might arise from this prolonged temporary release of one of India's most high-profile convicts.
