Archive · 8 Jan 2026
Haryana Law Aids Ram Rahim's Frequent Parole
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the leader of Dera Sacha Sauda, has been in jail since 2017 for crimes like rape and murder.
A law passed in Haryana in 2022 makes it easier for him to get out of jail on parole.
This law says that people who are not considered 'hardcore criminals' can get parole.
Even though Ram Rahim was convicted of serious crimes, the Haryana government says he should not be treated as a hardcore criminal.
Because of this, he has been able to spend a lot of time outside jail.
He has had many paroles, some of which happened around election times.
People are suspicious that these paroles might be for political reasons.
The courts have said that the Haryana government can decide who gets parole, so Ram Rahim keeps getting these releases.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, convicted of rape and murder, has received frequent paroles under Haryana's 2022 law.
The law allows non-hardcore criminals to get up to 10 weeks of parole per year.
Haryana government argues Ram Rahim should not be treated as a hardcore criminal despite his convictions.
He has spent 406 days outside jail in the last eight years, with recent paroles coinciding with elections.
Legal challenges to his paroles have been unsuccessful, with courts upholding the government's discretion.
- Who
- Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, head of Dera Sacha Sauda
- What
- Frequent paroles granted under Haryana's 2022 law
- When
- Since 2017, with recent parole in January 2026
- Where
- Haryana, India
- Why
- Haryana law allows paroles for non-hardcore criminals, despite convictions
- Convict
- Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh
- Convictions
- Rape (2017), Murder (2019, 2021)
- Sentence
- 20 years in jail
- Parole Days
- 406 days in 8 years
- Law
- Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022
- Parole Duration
- Up to 10 weeks per year
- Recent Parole
- 40 days (January 2026)
- Political Speculation
- Paroles coincide with elections