Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the controversial chief of Dera Sacha Sauda and a rape convict, was released on parole on Tuesday morning. Singh, who is currently serving a 20-year jail term for raping two of his disciples, walked out of Sunaria Jail in Rohtak, Haryana.

Convictions and Sentences

In addition to his sentence for rape, Ram Rahim Singh was awarded life imprisonment for his involvement in the murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati. This life sentence will begin after the completion of his current term.

In October 2021, a special CBI court in Panchkula, Haryana, convicted Singh and several others for the murder of Ranjit Singh, who was shot dead by unidentified assailants in 2002. The murder was reportedly orchestrated by Ram Rahim Singh, as he suspected Ranjit Singh of circulating an anonymous letter accusing him of sexually exploiting female disciples.

Details of the Cases

The journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati was murdered after he published reports exposing sexual exploitation by Ram Rahim Singh at the Sirsa-based Dera. Singh was also found guilty of hatching a criminal conspiracy in the murder case.

While some co-accused in the Ranjit Singh case, including Avtar Singh, Krishan Lal, Jasbir Singh, and Sabdil Singh, were acquitted, one accused, Inder Sain, passed away during the trial in 2020.

Reactions to Parole

The parole of the controversial Dera chief has sparked debates, as he continues to be a polarizing figure. While his followers celebrate his temporary release, critics have raised concerns about his past crimes and the implications of his parole.