Dara Singh, prime convict in murder of Australian Christian missionary Graham Staines, two sons, to be set free

The Odisha State Sentence Review Board has formally proposed the release of Dara Singh, who is currently serving a life sentence for the murder of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons, Philip and Timothy. The decision follows a review of his case under existing state guidelines for the premature release of prisoners who have completed significant portions of their sentences.

Singh was convicted for leading a mob that set fire to a station wagon in which Staines and his children were sleeping in Keonjhar district on January 22, 1999. While the trial court originally sentenced him to death in 2003, the Orissa High Court later commuted the sentence to life imprisonment in 2005, a decision subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court of India.

Authorities noted that the recommendation for release was primarily driven by Singh's 'good behavior' during his time in prison. The proposal will now be forwarded to the state government for a final decision regarding his discharge from the circle jail in Choudwar.

Source: Odisha State Sentence Review Board recommendation.