Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was released from Haryana’s Sunaria jail in Rohtak on Tuesday after being granted a 21-day furlough. The temporary release marks his 17th occasion outside prison since his conviction in 2017, bringing renewed attention to the repeated parole and furloughs granted to the controversial religious leader.

Ram Rahim, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for the rape of two women disciples, left the jail early in the morning under tight security arrangements. He is scheduled to stay at the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa during the period of his furlough.

The latest release comes only months after two other temporary releases this year. In January, Ram Rahim was granted a 40-day parole, followed by another 30-day parole in May. The latest 21-day furlough therefore represents his third temporary release from prison in 2026.

Release from Rohtak jail amid tight security

Ram Rahim was taken out of the high-security Sunaria prison in an SUV in the early hours of Tuesday. Security personnel were deployed around the jail premises as he left the facility.

Following his release, the Dera chief was expected to travel towards Sirsa, where he has been permitted to stay at the sect’s headquarters during the furlough period.

His repeated movement out of prison has remained a subject of public and political discussion, particularly because of his large following in Haryana, Punjab and neighbouring states.

Serving a 20-year sentence

Ram Rahim has been incarcerated since his conviction by a special CBI court in Panchkula in August 2017. The court found him guilty of raping two women disciples at the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa and sentenced him to 10 years in prison for each offence, with the sentences running consecutively.

The conviction brought an abrupt end to the public activities of one of the most influential figures associated with the Dera Sacha Sauda organisation.

His conviction in the rape cases also triggered widespread violence in parts of Haryana and Punjab in August 2017, following the court verdict. Several people were killed and many others were injured during the unrest.

17th temporary release since conviction

The latest furlough is Ram Rahim’s 17th temporary release since his 2017 conviction. Over the years, he has received multiple parole and furlough periods, allowing him to leave prison for specified durations subject to conditions imposed by the authorities.

His recent release history includes a 40-day parole in January 2026 and a 30-day parole in May 2026. Earlier temporary releases have also occurred repeatedly over the past several years.

The frequency of these releases has attracted scrutiny from political groups, civil society organisations and Sikh bodies, particularly when some of the temporary releases have occurred close to politically significant periods.

Repeated releases remain controversial

Ram Rahim’s parole and furlough history has frequently generated debate over the rules governing temporary release of prisoners. Supporters of such releases point to the legal provisions available to eligible prisoners, while critics have questioned the frequency with which the Dera chief has been permitted to leave prison.

The issue has gained additional importance because of the Dera Sacha Sauda’s considerable following across Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan. The organisation has historically had a significant social and political presence in parts of these states.

Consequently, every temporary release granted to its chief tends to attract considerable public attention.

Earlier convictions in murder cases

Apart from his rape conviction, Ram Rahim had also faced convictions in two separate murder cases.

He was convicted in the murder of former Dera manager Ranjit Singh and in the killing of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati. However, subsequent developments in the courts changed his legal position in those cases.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court acquitted Ram Rahim and other accused in the Ranjit Singh murder case in 2024. In March 2026, the high court also acquitted him in the murder case involving journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati.

His 20-year sentence in the rape cases, however, remains the principal imprisonment sentence under which he continues to be lodged in Sunaria jail.

Focus shifts to furlough rules

The latest 21-day release is likely to renew discussion over the distinction between parole and furlough and the rules governing temporary release of convicted prisoners.

While both mechanisms allow eligible prisoners to remain outside prison for a limited period, they operate under different legal and administrative provisions. Furlough is generally treated as a temporary release that can count towards a prisoner’s sentence, whereas parole is granted under specific circumstances and is subject to applicable conditions.

Ram Rahim’s repeated temporary releases have consequently become a prominent case in the wider debate surrounding prison administration, temporary release policies and the treatment of high-profile convicts.

For now, the Dera chief will remain outside Sunaria jail for the 21-day furlough period before he is expected to return to custody in accordance with the conditions attached to his release.

The latest development once again places Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and the Dera Sacha Sauda in the national spotlight, while also reviving questions over the frequency of temporary prison releases granted to the controversial sect leader.