The Supreme Court has granted two weeks to challenge the Odisha government's decision denying early release to Dara Singh, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his sons. The court will hear the matter after three weeks.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court provided Bajrang Dal member Dara Singh with two weeks to challenge the Odisha government's decision denying him early release. The decision comes in light of Singh serving a life sentence for the 1999 murder of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons. The director general of prisons and correctional services and the authorities at Kendujhar Jail had earlier recommended his release, citing good behaviour.
In August, the state sentence review board decided against Singh's early release due to concerns about potential communal disturbances in the area. The board also noted that on August 15, a group of 200 to 250 persons associated with Dara Sena had assembled outside the Kendujhar district jail in connection with the proposed release of the convict, during which 'provocative slogans' were shouted.
At the meeting on Thursday, the Supreme Court was informed about Odisha's decision. The court will review the matter following a three-week interval. It is worth noting that Dara Sena – named after Singh – is an outfit campaigning for his release. In April 2025, another person convicted in the case, Mahendra Hembram, was released from a jail in Odisha on the grounds of 'good behaviour'.
Singh has spent more than 26 years in prison. In his remission plea, Singh argued that he should be considered for early release as he is above the age of 60 and has been in jail for more than 24 years. He also told the court that he regretted his actions, which the petition described as having been in the context of 'protecting the nation'. It's important to mention that Singh had never been granted parole.
Staines and his minor sons were burnt to death by a mob led by Singh in Odisha in January 1999 when they were sleeping in a jeep. The attackers had accused the missionary of illegal religious conversion. Singh was among the 14 persons convicted in 2003 by a special Central Bureau of Investigation court. He was sentenced to death by the CBI court, but the sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in 2005 by the Orissa High Court.
Source:
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