Rohtak/Sirsa — In a move that’s once again ignited outrage across the country, controversial Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been granted furlough for the 13th time, walking out of Rohtak’s Sunaria jail under tight police security. The Haryana government has allowed him to stay at Sirsa Dera for 21 days — a decision many are calling nothing short of “VIP treatment” for a convicted rapist and murderer.
13th Time Lucky? Or a Mockery of Justice?
This isn’t a one-off mercy move — this is the 13th furlough granted to Ram Rahim, who is currently serving life imprisonment for the rape of two women and the murder of a journalist. The pattern is becoming impossible to ignore — especially when political events and elections are often closely timed with these furloughs.
It’s worth noting that just before the Delhi elections, Ram Rahim was given a 30-day break from prison. Now, weeks ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha results, he’s back out again. Coincidence?
Honeypreet, Dera Convoy Reach Jail Gate
As Ram Rahim exited the jail, Honeypreet and a full convoy of luxury Dera vehicles arrived to escort him. This orchestrated welcome felt less like a convict’s release and more like a celebrity homecoming.
What Is Furlough, and Who Deserves It?
For those unfamiliar, furlough is a temporary release given to well-behaved convicts so they can maintain ties with society. But it’s not a legal right. It’s granted based on the jail administration’s discretion and behavioral reports — and not every convict gets this privilege.
Yet somehow, Ram Rahim seems to be on a loyalty program. The irony? He qualifies again and again — while thousands of other inmates with far lesser crimes rot inside.
Supreme Court Refused to Intervene
Earlier this year, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging Ram Rahim’s repeated releases. But the apex court refused to hear the plea.
Public Reaction: Outrage on Social Media
The decision has sparked a storm on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, with many accusing the government of using Ram Rahim for vote-bank politics. Questions are also being raised on the message this sends to survivors of sexual violence.
“Why does a rapist get 13 furloughs while undertrials wait years for hearings?” one user posted.
