Dara Singh, main accused in Graham Staines murder, may walk free on Independence Day

The Odisha government told the Supreme Court that Dara Singh is being considered for Independence Day remission. The disclosure has raised the prospect of the Graham Staines murder convict's release more than 26 years after the killings.

In Short

• Dara Singh may be released on Odisha's Independence Day remission list
• Singh convicted for 1999 murder of missionary Graham Staines and sons
• Another convict, Mahendra Hembram, was released in April 2025

More than 26 years after Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two minor sons were burnt alive in Odisha, Dara Singh, who is currently serving a life sentence for the triple murder, could be released as part of the state's Independence Day remission exercise, as per sources.

During the hearing of Singh's plea seeking premature release, the Odisha government informed the Supreme Court that his name is among those being considered by the state's screening committee for the release of eligible prisoners on Independence Day.

The state requested the court to defer the matter until the committee completes its exercise.

Accepting the request, a bench of Justices Manoj Mishra and Vijay Bishnoi adjourned the hearing to August 19.

The Odisha government's limit for granting remission is 25 years.

Dara Singh, whose real name is Ravindra Pal and who hails from Etawah in Uttar Pradesh, is lodged in the Keonjhar district jail.

On the night of January 22, 1999, Staines and his sons Philip (10) and Timothy (6), were sleeping in their station wagon in Manoharpur village in Keonjhar when a mob surrounded the vehicle and set it on fire.

All three were burnt alive in an incident that drew international condemnation.

Following a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, Dara Singh was convicted for leading the attack. His life sentence was later upheld by the Supreme Court.

In July 2024, Singh approached the Supreme Court seeking remission, arguing that he had spent over 24 years behind bars.

In his petition, he claimed he was "repenting the consequences of his action taken in the fit of his youthful rage."

He was 37 years old when he was arrested.

The possibility of Singh's release comes after another convict in the case, Mahendra Hembram, was granted premature release in April 2025 after completing 25 years in prison.

Authorities cited his good conduct in jail while approving his remission.

- Ends