Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Granted 21-Day Furlough for the 17th Time Since Rape Conviction

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the controversial leader of Dera Sacha Sauda, has been released from prison for a 21-day furlough on Tuesday. This marks the 17th occasion he has been allowed temporary freedom since his conviction for rape in August 2017. Singh is currently serving a 20-year sentence in Sunaria Jail located in Rohtak, Haryana, for sexually assaulting two of his female disciples.

During this furlough, Singh will reside at the headquarters of his sect in Sirsa district, a location synonymous with his organizational activities. This is notably his third consecutive furlough spent at the Sirsa headquarters; previously, he had opted for stays at his ashram in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh. His ongoing pattern of temporary releases has drawn significant media attention and public scrutiny.

Under the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners Temporary Release Act of 2022, inmates are entitled to a total of 10 weeks of parole and three weeks of furlough within a calendar year. The law allows prisoners to take their parole in two segments, while the furlough must be taken all at once. With this latest 21-day furlough, Singh has now exhausted his annual allowance, raising questions about the leniency of the prison system and the criteria used for such releases.

The legal landscape surrounding Singh’s releases has evolved recently. In February 2024, the Punjab and Haryana High Court mandated that any future grants of parole for Singh must receive explicit permission from the Haryana government. This ruling came on the heels of an earlier 50-day release that had sparked widespread outrage, fueling concerns about the potential misuse of legal provisions.

Critics argue that Singh’s frequent furloughs reflect a troubling trend of privilege within the justice system, particularly for high-profile convicts. As he continues to enjoy temporary freedom, the implications for victims and their families remain a contentious issue, with ongoing debates about justice and accountability in such high-stakes cases.

Source: scroll.in