Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s repeated paroles reignite questions over fairness and political influence in the justice system | PTI
The release on parole of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, who is serving a life sentence for murder and a 20-year jail term for rape, for an astonishing 15th time since his conviction in 2017, is reflective of a flawed system. With this 40-day parole, Ram Rahim will have spent over 400 days out of jail.
Parole approved for religious event
Lodged in the Sunaria jail in Haryana’s Rohtak, Ram Rahim’s plea to be allowed to attend the January 25 birth anniversary celebration of the Dera’s second head, Shah Satnam Singh, was approved by the Rohtak Divisional Commissioner. Earlier, he was granted parole for another 40 days in August 2025 to celebrate his own birthday.
A pattern of frequent releases
In 2025, he received parole for 30 days in January, just ahead of the Delhi elections, and a furlough for 21 days in April. In 2024, he was allowed 20 days of parole on October 1, days before the Haryana Assembly polls. In August that year, he was granted a 21-day furlough. He was also permitted a three-week furlough from February 7, 2022, two weeks before the Punjab Assembly election.
Political timing draws criticism
The timing of his paroles and furloughs should have raised questions. However, given the clout of Dera Sacha Sauda and Ram Rahim’s enormous popularity among a section of the populace, political parties have generally stayed away from the issue.
Only some Sikh organisations, such as the SGPC, and activists have criticised the alleged preferential treatment for Ram Rahim and accused the ruling party of using parole as a weapon for political leverage in Haryana and Punjab, where the Dera chief has a large following.
Convictions and court proceedings
Ram Rahim was convicted for the rape of two of his women disciples in 2017 and, in 2019, for the murder of a journalist 16 years earlier. In 2021, he and four others were convicted for the murder of a former manager of the sect and sentenced to life imprisonment. However, the Punjab and Haryana High Court acquitted him in that case in May 2024.
High Court directions and later clarification
In February 2024, the High Court told the Haryana government that Ram Rahim should not be granted parole without the court’s permission. However, in August that year, the court said that the application for temporary release filed by Ram Rahim would be decided by the competent authorities.
Changes in parole laws under scrutiny
In February 2022, the Haryana government amended its parole laws, which critics alleged was done to benefit the Dera chief. Earlier, specific circumstances such as death in the family, critical illness or marriage had to be cited to secure parole. The 2022 legislation allowed convicts who have served one year in jail to be eligible for 10 weeks of parole and 21 days of furlough per year.
Justice questioned by victims
The authorities have denied any bias, but for the Dera chief’s victims, his frequent stints outside jail are seen as a travesty of justice.
