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Key Points

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the controversial Dera Sacha Sauda chief, has been released on parole for the third time this year. His 40-day parole coincides with his birthday on August 15, raising eyebrows over preferential treatment. The self-styled godman, convicted for rape and murder, will stay at his Sirsa dera this time. His previous releases have been met with protests, especially from the family of slain journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati.

Key Points: Ram Rahim Gets Third Parole This Year Amid Rape Murder Conviction

  • Ram Rahim granted third parole in 2023 amid rape and murder convictions
  • His release coincides with his birthday on August 15
  • Previous paroles restricted him from staying in Sirsa dera
  • Conviction in 2017 led to violent clashes with 41 deaths
2 min read

Ram Rahim comes out of Haryana jail on 40-day parole; third this year

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh released on 40-day parole, his third this year, sparking controversy over preferential treatment.

"His release is said to coincide with his birthday, which falls on August 15. – Article Excerpt"

Chandigarh, Aug 5

Controversial Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, convicted for rape and murder, on Tuesday again came out of the high-security jail in Haryana’s Rohtak city. This is his third release this year, and 14th since his conviction in 2017.

The last parole was just three months ago, and this time it is for 40 days.

His release is said to coincide with his birthday, which falls on August 15. Earlier, he was granted furlough for 21 days in April and parole for 30 days in January.

Ram Rahim will stay in his Sirsa dera, the third time to stay there since his 2017 conviction in rape cases.

In his previous parole or furloughs, he was not allowed to stay in Sirsa but permitted to reside at the Shah Satnam Ashram in Barnava in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district.

His conviction on August 25, 2017, had led to violence in Panchkula and Sirsa, leaving 41 people dead and over 260 injured.

The Dera Sacha Sauda chief has been patronised by political leaders and parties in Punjab and Haryana for nearly two decades due to his ability to influence the votes of his followers.

On every occasion, Anshul Chhatrapati, son of slain journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati, for whose murder Ram Rahim is serving a life sentence, has been objecting to the granting of parole.

Ram Rahim is currently lodged at the high-security Sunaria jail in Rohtak, 250 km from the state capital Chandigarh.

In the past, the high court had rejected Ram Rahim's parole plea for attending the wedding ceremony of his foster daughters.

The self-styled godman was sentenced to 20 years in jail in August 2017 for raping two women. A special CBI court in Panchkula in 2019 also sentenced him and three others to life imprisonment for the murder of a journalist over 16 years ago.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
As someone from Haryana, I've seen firsthand how political parties pamper these so-called godmen for votes. The violence in 2017 still haunts us. Why is he getting special treatment when ordinary prisoners struggle to get bail for minor offenses?
A
Aman W
I respect our judiciary but this repeated parole seems questionable. His birthday on August 15? Coinciding with Independence Day? This feels like mockery of both justice and our national pride.
S
Sarah B
While I understand the outrage, we must remember parole is a legal provision. Maybe the authorities have valid reasons we're not aware of. But yes, the frequency does raise eyebrows.
K
Kavya N
My heart goes out to Anshul Chhatrapati. Imagine seeing your father's killer walk free repeatedly while you fight for justice. This is why common people lose faith in the system. #JusticeForChhatrapati
V
Varun X
The real question is - who is pulling strings for him? From Barnava to Sirsa, his movement privileges keep increasing. This reeks of political protection. Time for media to investigate who's behind these frequent paroles!

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