Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was released from Sunaria jail in Rohtak on January 5, 2026, after being granted a 40-day parole, marking the 15th such release since his conviction in 2017 for the rape of two disciples. The 20-year sentence stems from a 2017 CBI court verdict that found him guilty of sexually assaulting his followers. During this parole period, he will reside at the Dera headquarters in Sirsa, Haryana, as confirmed by Dera spokesperson and advocate Jitender Khurana.

Singh has a documented history of frequent temporary releases from prison. His most recent prior parole occurred in August 2025 for 40 days, preceded by a 21-day furlough in April 2025 and a 30-day parole in January 2025. Earlier instances include a 20-day parole on October 1, 2024, shortly before Haryana assembly elections, and a 21-day furlough in August 2024. These releases have frequently coincided with major electoral periods in Haryana and Punjab.

In addition to the rape convictions, Singh and three others were sentenced in 2019 to life imprisonment for the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati, who had exposed the rape allegations more than 16 years earlier. The case highlighted the sect leader’s alleged involvement in criminal conspiracy. Separately, in May 2024, the Punjab and Haryana High Court acquitted Singh and four co-accused in the 2002 murder of former Dera manager Ranjit Singh, citing deficiencies and inconsistencies in the CBI’s investigation.

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The pattern of repeated paroles has drawn criticism from several Sikh organisations, including the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, which has repeatedly questioned the rationale behind granting such relief to a convicted rapist. During many previous releases, Singh stayed at the Dera’s ashram in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh. The current parole allows him to remain at the main Dera complex in Sirsa, a location central to the sect’s operations.

Dera Sacha Sauda maintains a significant following across Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and other states, with a particularly strong presence in districts such as Sirsa, Fatehabad, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, and Hisar in Haryana. The organisation’s influence and the periodic releases of its chief continue to generate debate regarding the balance between legal relief provisions and public accountability in high-profile criminal cases.

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