India
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Odisha board rejects Dara Singh premature release
The Hindu··15 Sept
Odisha's Sentence Review Board rejected premature release for Rabindra Kumar Pal, alias Dara Singh, serving life for killing Graham Staines and his two sons in 1999. As of August 28, 2026, he had spent 26 years, six months and 27 days in prison. The board cited communal risks after a Dara Sena gathering outside Kendujhar jail.
Prism
What It Means For You
- The rejection comes ahead of a Supreme Court hearing on the remission plea listed for September 17.
- Earlier prison authorities had recommended release on good behaviour, but the board disagreed.
- Co-convict Mahendra Hembram was released prematurely on April 16, 2025.
What's Happening
- The board met on August 31, 2026 and said it was not inclined to recommend release at this stage.
- Kendujhar authorities reported about 200 to 250 people linked to Dara Sena gathered on August 15.
- The Supreme Court had directed Odisha to take a clear stand on the plea.
The Staines murder timeline
- Staines and sons Philip and Timoti were burned to death at Manoharpur on January 22, 1999.
- A CBI court sentenced Singh to death in 2003; the Orissa High Court later commuted it to life.
- The board also rejected or deferred his premature release in 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2022.
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