Rape Convict Ram Rahim Singh Walks Out of Jail on 21-Day Furlough for 17th Time

Chandigarh: Rape Convict Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh walked out of Rohtak’s Sunaria jail on a 21-day furlough. This marks his 17th temporary release since his 2017 conviction for rape and murder.

The self-styled godman headed under heavy security to his Sirsa headquarters. This is his third release this year following previous paroles in January and May. Authorities cite the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners Act for the decision, while critics voice outrage over the repeated concessions.

The high-profile prisoner is serving a 20-year sentence for raping two female disciples and was also convicted for the murder of a journalist. Under current state prison regulations, convicts can technically qualify for up to 70 days of parole and 21 days of furlough within a single calendar year.

However, rights activists, opposition leaders, and bodies such as the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee have routinely challenged these frequent releases in court. Critics argue that the timing of these leaves often overlaps with crucial political events and elections, creating a public debate over judicial fairness and executive indulgence.