Haryana: Gurmeet Ram Rahim, the Dera Sacha Sauda chief, who is serving a life sentence for rape and murder, was released on a 21-day furlough early this morning. At 6:30 AM on August 13, he exited the Sunaria jail in Rohtak, Haryana, under police protection. Two vehicles from his ashram arrived to escort him to Baghpat Ashram in Uttar Pradesh, where he will spend his furlough under police surveillance. Ram Rahim was convicted in 2017 for the rape and murder of two of his disciples.
Previous Furlough Granted Earlier This Year
In a previous instance, Ram Rahim was granted a 50-day furlough on February 19, 2024. During that time, he resided at Barnawa Ashram with his adopted daughter and family. During this furlough, he also released a song to celebrate the arrival of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. After completing his furlough, he returned to Sunaria jail on March 10, 2024, to continue serving his sentence.
Opposition to Parole Sparks Controversy
The decision to grant parole to Ram Rahim has faced significant opposition. Earlier, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee filed a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, challenging the repeated grants of parole to the Dera chief. In response, the court directed the BJP-led government to seek permission before granting further paroles to Ram Rahim, though it clarified that the state government holds the authority to make such decisions.
Timing of Furlough Raises Eyebrows
The timing of Ram Rahim’s furlough has raised questions, as it coincides with the upcoming Haryana assembly elections. This is not the first time Ram Rahim has been released from jail during an election period. The Dera Sacha Sauda has a significant influence on around three dozen assembly seats across nine districts in Haryana. With a large following of 15 to 20 lakh devotees, Ram Rahim’s influence is seen as a crucial factor by political parties, especially in districts like Fatehabad, Kaithal, Hisar, and Ambala.
