Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Granted 21-Day Release, Heads to Sirsa
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh leads the Dera Sacha Sauda sect and is in prison in Haryana.
He was sentenced to 20 years for raping two female followers.
Officials have allowed him to leave prison for 21 days.
Some reports call this parole, while others call it furlough.
He left Sunaria Jail early in the morning and went toward the Dera headquarters in Sirsa.
The reports describe this as his 17th temporary release, but they disagree about whether counting started in 2017 or 2020.
He was also convicted in murder cases, but courts later acquitted him in those cases.
The Supreme Court will hear an appeal against his acquittal in the journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati murder case.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh left Sunaria Jail in Rohtak at about 6:05 a.m. after receiving a 21-day temporary release.
The release is called parole in some reports and furlough in others, and is described as his 17th release since either 2017 or 2020.
He is expected to stay at the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa during the release.
Ram Rahim remains imprisoned under a 20-year sentence for raping two female followers.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal challenging his acquittal in the 2002 murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati.
- Who
- Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, head of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect and a convict serving a sentence for raping two female followers.
- What
- He received a 21-day temporary release from Sunaria Jail, described as parole or furlough by different reports.
- When
- He left on a Tuesday at about 6:05 a.m.; reports identify the release as occurring on August 25.
- Where
- He left Sunaria Jail in Rohtak, Haryana, and was expected to stay at the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa.
- Why
- The reports say the release was granted under rules governing eligible prisoners' temporary release, but do not give a more specific reason.
Challenge to Acquittal
Defense and Court Findings
Ram Chander Chhatrapati murder case
Challenge to Acquittal
The journalist's son has challenged Ram Rahim's acquittal, and the Supreme Court has agreed to hear the appeal.
Defense and Court Findings
The Punjab and Haryana High Court overturned the earlier conviction, citing insufficient proof beyond reasonable doubt and gaps or coercion in prosecution witness testimony.
Characterization of latest release
Challenge to Acquittal
Some reports describe the 21-day release as parole.
Defense and Court Findings
Other reports describe it as furlough; the articles do not resolve the difference in terminology.
Number of temporary releases
Challenge to Acquittal
One group of reports counts the latest release as the 17th since his 2017 conviction.
Defense and Court Findings
Another report counts it as the 17th release since 2020.
- Release duration
- 21 days
- Departure
- About 6:05 a.m. from Sunaria Jail in Rohtak, Haryana
- Destination
- Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa
- Release count
- Reported as the 17th temporary release; sources differ on whether counting began in 2017 or 2020
- Current sentence
- Twenty years for raping two female followers, imposed as two consecutive 10-year terms
- Previous release
- He returned to prison on June 26 after a 30-day parole
- Pending appeal
- The Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal challenging his acquittal in the Ram Chander Chhatrapati murder case
Sources
Gurmeet Ram Rahim granted 21-day parole again; set for 17th jail release
Gurmeet Ram Rahim out of jail on 21-day furlough, 17th temporary release since 2017 conviction
Rape and murder convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim walks out of jail again: A look at his 17 temporary releases since 2020
