Ram Rahim released on 16th parole since 2017 conviction

Ram Rahim gets his 16th parole since the 2017 conviction, a 30‑day release from Haryana jail. Get the full story.

Ram Rahim has been freed from Rohtak’s Sunaria Jail for the 16th time since his 2017 conviction, this time on a 30‑day parole granted by the Haryana government’s competent authority. The move marks another chapter in the controversial religious leader’s repeated temporary releases while serving a 20‑year sentence for the Sadhvi sexual assault case.

The chief of Dera Sacha Sauda walked out of Sunaria Jail around 6:34 a.m. today, with only a minimal security presence at his exit. His lawyer, Jitendra Khurana, confirmed that the parole had been approved and that Ram Rahim would stay at the Dera headquarters in Sirsa during the 30‑day period.

Ram Rahim’s current release follows a 40‑day parole that was granted earlier this year in January, after which he returned to jail on 15 February. The pattern of short‑term releases has sparked criticism from politicians, civil society, and security experts, especially given the high‑profile nature of the cases he faces.

Since August 2017, when he was first convicted in the Sadhvi sexual assault case, the Dera chief has been lodged in Rohtak’s Sunaria Jail. Over the years, he has been granted several paroles and furloughs, with the latest one adding to an already lengthy list of temporary releases.

The 2017 conviction stemmed from allegations that Ram Rahim sexually assaulted a woman named Sadhvi. The court found him guilty of rape and murder, sentencing him to a 20‑year term. The case remains one of the most controversial in India’s recent legal history.

In March of this year, the Punjab and Haryana High Court acquitted Ram Rahim in the murder case of journalist Ramchandra Chhatrapati. Earlier, a Special CBI court had convicted him in 2019 for conspiring in the journalist’s killing, sentencing him to life imprisonment along with three others – Kuldeep Singh, Nirmal Singh and Krishan Lal. The High Court’s division bench, led by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Vikram Aggarwal, overturned that conviction and cleared him of all charges in that case.

Ram Rahim’s legal troubles extend beyond the Sadhvi case. The Punjab and Haryana High Court also acquitted him and four others in the 2002 murder case of former Dera manager Ranjit Singh, who was killed in Kurukshetra’s Khanpur Kolian village. A Special CBI court in Panchkula had earlier sentenced Ram Rahim to life imprisonment in that case, but the High Court’s acquittal nullified that judgment.

These repeated paroles and legal victories have fueled public debate about the balance between legal rights and public safety. Critics argue that such temporary releases set a dangerous precedent, especially when the individual is accused of serious crimes like rape, murder and conspiracy.

Supporters of Ram Rahim claim that the releases are lawful and that he is entitled to temporary freedom under the conditions set by the court. They also point to the High Court’s acquittals as evidence of a fair judicial process.

Security concerns are heightened during election periods and other sensitive law‑and‑order situations. The limited deployment of security forces during Ram Rahim’s exit from Sunaria Jail has drawn scrutiny from law‑enforcement agencies and political parties alike.

As the 30‑day parole period begins, the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa will host the chief. His movements during this time will be closely monitored by both the media and the authorities to ensure compliance with the parole terms.

Ram Rahim’s legal saga continues to unfold as he navigates the complexities of multiple convictions, acquittals, and repeated paroles. The 16th temporary release underscores the contentious nature of his presence outside prison walls and the ongoing debate over his right to temporary freedom versus public safety concerns.

Ram Rahim’s latest 30‑day parole adds another twist to his long‑running legal battles. While the court’s decisions allow him temporary freedom, the broader implications for law and order remain a point of contention. Observers will watch closely how this release unfolds and whether it triggers further legal or political responses.

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