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3 clusters · 11 sources · 36 days · First seen · Last updated

Supreme Court warns Odisha over Dara Singh remission

Overview

India’s Supreme Court has intensified pressure on the Odisha government to resolve the remission petition of Dara Singh (also known as Ravindra Pal), convicted for the 1999 burning-alive of Australian missionary Graham Staines, his two minor sons, a Muslim trader, and a Catholic priest. While the court previously set an August 19 deadline, a bench comprising Justices Manoj Misra and Vijay Bishnoi has now issued a stern warning to the Odisha State Sentence Review Board.

The court stated, “We cannot tolerate this; no decision,” and directed the Board to reach a conclusion by September 2, threatening to intervene and make the decision itself if the deadline is missed. Singh, a member of the Bajrang Dal, has been incarcerated for over 26 years. His death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment by the Orissa High Court in 2005, a ruling upheld by the Supreme Court in 2011.

In his petition, Singh cited his age and long-term incarceration as grounds for release. The State Sentence Review Board had previously recommended remission based on good behaviour, similar to the 2025 release of co-convict Mahendra Hembram. However, the Odisha government noted it is still seeking antecedent reports from Uttar Pradesh. Political opposition remains significant, with the CPI and CPI(M) warning that premature release could threaten communal harmony and undermine public confidence in the justice system.

Entities

Dara Singh · Odisha State Sentence Review Board · Supreme Court of India · Odisha · Graham Staines

Timeline

  1. 26 days ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources
    Supreme Court directs Odisha to decide on Dara Singh's release plea

    The Supreme Court has ordered the Odisha Sentence Review Board to decide on the premature release plea of Dara Singh, convicted in the 1999 Graham Staines murder case, by September 2.

  2. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources
    Odisha Court Considers Premature Release of Convicted Murderer Dara Singh

    India's Supreme Court awaits Odisha's decision on releasing convicted murderer Dara Singh, who seeks remission after 25 years; left parties oppose, citing communal harmony concerns.

  3. 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 7 sources
    Dara Singh poised for release in Graham Staines murder case

    India’s Supreme Court has ordered Odisha to decide by 19 August on Dara Singh’s remission request, potentially releasing him before Independence Day after 26 years for the Graham Staines murders.

Sources

cjp.org.in · deccanchronicle.com · english.madhyamam.com · mathrubhumi.com · newsable.asianetnews.com · odishabytes.com · onislam.net · orissapost.com · sabrangindia.in · scroll.in · thequint.com