Rohtak, Jan. 29 -- Dera Sacha Sauda chief and rape convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on Tuesday walked out of the Sunaria jail in Rohtak after he was granted a 30-day parole. This is his 12th temporary release from jail since 2017, and eighth ahead of assembly polls in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Delhi, where he has a significant following.

Ram Rahim's release comes eight days ahead of the Delhi assembly elections on February 5, keeping with the trend of the influential sect leader being released ahead of polls in the region. He was last released on a 20-day parole three days before Haryana went to the polls in October 2024.

Rohtak divisional commissioner Anshaj Singh, who granted the parole, could not be reached for comment. Ram Rahim...