Chandigarh, April 9 || Controversial Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who is serving a 20-year jail sentence for raping two of his disciples, was granted furlough on Wednesday for 21 days by the Haryana government.
He will stay in his Sirsa dera, the second time since his 2017 conviction in rape cases.
In his previous paroles or furloughs, he was not allowed to stay in Sirsa but was permitted to reside at the Shah Satnam Ashram in Barnava in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district.
This is the 13th furlough given to the Dera Sacha Sauda chief, who was patronised by political leaders and parties in Punjab and Haryana for nearly two decades due to his ability to influence the votes of his followers.
Earlier in January, he was granted a 30-day parole.
His release is said to coincide with the Dera’s foundation day celebrations. It was founded on April 29, 1948, by Baba Shah Mastana. This year marks its 77th anniversary.