NEW DELHI: Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, a rape convict, has walked out on a 21-day furlough yet again from Rohtak’s Sunaria jail. The latest release has immediately revived the political debate in Punjab over the influence of Dera Sacha Sauda, its electoral footprint and, more importantly, the contrasting treatment of Ram Rahim and Sikh prisoners who have spent years behind bars.
A furlough is a leave from jail that does not require any special or urgent reason. It is a statutory benefit available to eligible prisoners, subject to applicable rules and conditions. Every state has its own rules and guidelines for granting furloughs to prisoners.
Ram Rahim’s latest leave from jail is politically significant in view of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
While there is no official indication that the furlough was granted for electoral favours, the timing is suspect and is likely to prompt political questions.
Ram Rahim has been convicted in two rape cases and is also serving a life sentence for the murder of former Dera manager Ranjit Singh. His sentence has been peppered with paroles and furloughs, allowing him to spend considerable periods outside jail. His repeated releases have become a politically sensitive issue in Punjab and Haryana.
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