Gurmeet Ram Rahim Granted 40-Day Parole: His 15th Release Since 2017 Conviction

Gurmeet Ram Rahim granted 40-day parole, will remain at Sirsa headquarters

Introduction: A Familiar Pattern of Release

For the 15th time since his landmark 2017 conviction, Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is walking out of Sunaria Jail in Rohtak—not as a free man, but on a temporary, court-sanctioned reprieve. The latest development? A 40-day parole grant that allows him to return to the sprawling Dera headquarters in Sirsa, Haryana [1]. While authorities cite health and administrative reasons for the parole, the repeated nature of these releases has reignited public debate over the fairness and consistency of India’s parole system, especially for high-profile convicts serving life sentences for grave crimes.

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The Latest Gurmeet Ram Rahim Parole: Key Details

The Haryana government, acting on a recommendation from the Rohtak District Magistrate, has approved a 40-day parole for Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. This decision comes as he serves a 20-year sentence for the 2002 murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati and a separate 20-year sentence for the rape of two Dera sadhvis—sentences that are being served concurrently [2].

Crucially, the parole order stipulates that he must remain within the confines of the Dera Sacha Sauda’s sprawling Sirsa complex for its entire duration. He is prohibited from holding any public gatherings, making media statements, or traveling outside the designated area. Police and intelligence officials will maintain a “high-alert” presence to monitor his activities and ensure compliance [1].

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Parole: A History of Releases

This 40-day stint is far from an isolated incident. Since his initial sentencing in August 2017, Gurmeet Ram Rahim has been granted parole or furlough on an astonishing 14 previous occasions [3]. These releases have often been timed around significant Dera events, such as his birthday or the death anniversary of his predecessor, and have ranged from a few days to several weeks.

Critics have long pointed to this pattern as evidence of preferential treatment. The frequency and duration of his paroles stand in stark contrast to the experiences of many other convicts serving similar sentences, who often struggle to get even a single day of temporary release for genuine family emergencies.

Parole in India is not a right but a privilege, governed by the rules of individual state governments. The primary grounds for granting parole typically include:

  • Serious illness of the convict or an immediate family member.
  • Death of a close relative.
  • Marriage of a child or other close family event.
  • Administrative or property-related work that cannot be handled by anyone else.

The Supreme Court of India has, in various judgments, emphasized that parole should be used sparingly and with great caution, especially in cases involving heinous crimes, to maintain public confidence in the justice system [Supreme Court of India]. The court has also warned against using parole as a de facto reduction of a sentence.

The latest Gurmeet Ram Rahim parole has been met with predictable outrage from sections of the public and legal experts. The family of Ram Chander Chhatrapati, the murdered journalist, has expressed deep anguish, calling the repeated releases a “mockery of justice.”

Legal scholars argue that while the state has the administrative authority to grant parole, the sheer number of releases for a convict in such a serious case creates a perception of a two-tiered justice system. “The law must not only be fair, but it must be seen to be fair,” said one senior advocate. “Constantly releasing a man convicted of rape and murder erodes that public perception.”

Supporters of the Dera, however, maintain that the parole is granted on legitimate medical and administrative grounds, and that Ram Rahim’s presence is essential for the smooth functioning of the Dera’s vast network of social and charitable activities.

Life at the Sirsa Headquarters During Parole

For the duration of his parole, Gurmeet Ram Rahim will reside in his heavily fortified residence within the Dera’s 1,500-acre Sirsa complex. The area is a self-contained city with its own schools, hospitals, and industries, and remains a major pilgrimage site for his millions of followers.

Despite the official restrictions, there are concerns that the Dera’s infrastructure and loyal following make it difficult for authorities to effectively monitor his activities. Past paroles have seen large, albeit unofficial, gatherings of devotees outside his residence, raising fears of potential law and order issues.

Conclusion: A System Under Scrutiny

The 15th Gurmeet Ram Rahim parole is more than just a procedural update; it’s a flashpoint that highlights the ongoing tension between administrative discretion and public justice. While the legal process for granting this specific parole may have been followed, the cumulative effect of these repeated releases challenges the very purpose of a life sentence. As he spends his 40 days at the Sirsa headquarters, the broader conversation about accountability, consistency in the application of parole rules, and the message it sends to victims of crime will continue to resonate far beyond the walls of the Dera complex.

Sources

[1] “15th release since 2017: Gurmeet Ram Rahim granted 40-day parole to remain in Sirsa headquarters”, Times of India
[2] Details of Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s convictions from court records
[3] Media reports tracking the history of his previous parole and furlough grants

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