Odisha Rejects Early Release of Dara Singh Convicted in Graham Staines Murder

The Odisha government has refused to release Rabindra Kumar Pal, known as Dara Singh, who is serving a life sentence for murdering Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two young sons. The State Sentence Review Board (SSRB) turned down his request for early release after the Supreme Court asked the state to make a clear decision.

Earlier, prison officials had suggested releasing Singh due to good behavior. However, in August 2026, during a protest by supporters of Dara Sena outside Kendujhar Jail, provocative slogans were raised, leading the SSRB to reconsider its stance.

The board decided against his release, citing concerns about possible communal tensions in the area. They stated that Singh’s release was not advisable at this time.

Singh has been in prison since January 22, 1999, when he and others killed Staines and his sons Philip and Timoti by burning them alive in a van. The victims were accused of converting people to Christianity. Singh received a death sentence, which later was changed to life imprisonment after appeals.

In 2024, Singh approached the Supreme Court for early release under specific guidelines, but the court deferred the decision to the state government. This is not the first time his request has been rejected; previous attempts in 2016, 2019, 2020, and 2022 were also denied.

Singh is also involved in two other murder cases, both resulting in life sentences. His past behavior and ongoing legal issues have contributed to the repeated rejection of his release requests.