Dara Singh poised for release in Graham Staines murder case

India’s Supreme Court has given the Odisha government until 19 August to decide on a remission petition filed by Dara Singh, also known as Ravindra Pal. Singh is serving a life sentence for the 1999 burning‑alive of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two minor sons in the Keonjhar district of Odisha. The State Sentence Review Board recommended his early release on the grounds of good behaviour, and the court has directed that any decision be taken before India’s Independence Day on 15 August 2026. Singh has been incarcerated for more than 26 years; a similar remission led to the release of co‑convict Mahendra Hembram in April 2025. The case, which triggered international condemnation at the time, remains a focal point of communal tension and political debate, with parties and leaders previously calling for Singh’s release. The pending decision will determine whether Singh, now over 60 years old, will be freed before the August holiday.