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Gurmeet Ram Rahim granted 21-day furlough, 17th release since conviction
Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been granted a 21-day furlough, marking his 17th release from Sunaria Jail in Rohtak since his 2017 conviction for raping two female followers. Following his release on Tuesday morning, he traveled to the organization's headquarters in Sirsa. This release follows several other temporary leaves granted earlier this year, including a 30-day parole in May and a 40-day parole in January.
The frequent temporary releases have drawn criticism from social organizations and Sikh bodies, such as the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, who have questioned the pattern of his releases. Under the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022, Singh has now exhausted his annual entitlement for parole and furlough.
In a separate legal development, the Supreme Court of India has agreed to hear an appeal challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Court's decision to acquit Ram Rahim in the 2002 murder case of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati. The appeal, filed by the journalist's son, is scheduled for a final hearing in the week commencing November 16.
Entities
CBI · Central Bureau of Investigation · Dera Sacha Sauda · Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh · Sirsa · Sunaria Jail · Supreme Court of India
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Ram Rahim left Sunaria Jail in a convoy to travel to the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Supreme Court issued a notice to Ram Rahim and the CBI regarding a petition challenging his acquittal in the journalist Ramchandra Chhatrapati murder case.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Gurmeet Ram Rahim has been released from prison on parole or furlough 17 times.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Haryana government granted 21 days of parole to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] A CBI special court sentenced Gurmeet Ram Rahim to 20 years in prison for the rape of two female devotees.