CHANDIGARH, Aug 25: Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been granted a 21-day furlough, allowing him to temporarily leave Sunaria jail in Haryana’s Rohtak, sources said on Tuesday.
The 58 year old sect chief, who is serving a 20 year prison sentence for raping two of his disciples, is expected to stay at the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa during the furlough period, according to the sources.
This will mark Ram Rahim’s 17th release from prison since he was convicted in August 2017. His repeated temporary releases have drawn public attention over the years.
Ram Rahim is currently lodged at Sunaria jail, where he has been serving his sentence following his conviction in the rape case.
The latest furlough comes months after he was granted a 30 day parole in May. Earlier, in January, he was released on a 40-day parole.
Furlough and parole are temporary forms of release granted to prisoners subject to applicable rules and conditions. The latest order will allow the Dera chief to spend 21 days outside prison before returning to custody.
