Dera Chief Ram Rahim Released on 30-Day Parole

by The_unmuteenglish

Baghpat, 28 January 2025: Gurmeet Ram Rahim, the chief of Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda and a convict in rape and murder cases, was released on a 30-day parole from Rohtak’s Sunaria Jail on Tuesday morning.

Serving a 20-year prison sentence for the rape of two disciples and the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati, the Dera chief will spend the initial 10 days of his parole at the Sirsa ashram in Haryana and the remaining 20 days at the Barnawa ashram in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district, according to official sources.

This marks the first time Ram Rahim has been allowed to visit his Sirsa ashram during a parole period since his conviction by a special CBI court in August 2017.

The release is his 11th instance of furlough or parole over the past six years.

Notably, the parole release was conducted in a discreet manner, with local police reportedly informed only after Ram Rahim had departed the prison at around 6:45 a.m. on Tuesday.

The timing of the parole has sparked speculation about its potential political implications, particularly with the Delhi Assembly elections approaching.

The Dera Sacha Sauda commands a large follower base in Delhi, and its support has historically influenced electoral outcomes. Reports indicate that several leaders of the ruling party have recently visited Dera ashrams.

Critics have frequently questioned the repeated grants of parole to Ram Rahim, accentuating concerns about preferential treatment and potential misuse of his influence.

Authorities, however, have stated that the parole terms will be monitored closely.

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