Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the controversial leader of Dera Sacha Sauda, has been granted a 21-day furlough, marking the eighth such release during his 20-year sentence for raping two female disciples. This decision comes ahead of the likely upcoming Haryana Assembly polls and follows a recent high court ruling that dismissed a petition from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee opposing his release. Singh, who has a significant following, will stay at the Dera's ashram in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, during his furlough. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had previously advised that any future applications for his release be handled without bias. Singh's legal troubles include convictions for murder and ongoing controversies surrounding his multiple furloughs. Earlier this year, the court had instructed the Haryana government not to grant further paroles to Singh without its permission.