Law and Justice / Graham Staines Murder: SC Slams Odisha Govt Over Dara Singh Release Delay

New Delhi, Sep 8: The Supreme Court has expressed displeasure at the Odisha government for repeatedly deferring a decision on the premature release plea of Rabindra Kumar Pal alias Dara Singh, convicted in the 1999 murder of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two minor sons, officials said on Tuesday.

Court’s Rebuke

A bench of Justice Manoj Mishra and Justice Vijay Bishnoi noted that the matter has remained pending for nearly two years, with the State Sentence Review Board citing verification and procedural delays. The court questioned why the decision was being postponed time and again.

Defence Argument

Appearing for Singh, the counsel submitted that the convict has spent nearly 26 years and nine months in prison, yet his plea for remission continues to be delayed. The defence argued that the state authorities were dragging their feet despite the apex court’s earlier directions.

State’s Plea for Time

During Tuesday’s hearing, the state’s counsel sought additional time citing health-related issues. The bench, however, directed the Odisha government to expedite the process and file a clear status report on the matter.
Also Read: Graham Staines Murder: SC Directs Odisha Govt to Release Dara Singh by August 15

Next Hearing

The case has now been listed for September 17, 2026. The court said the next hearing would hinge on the status report submitted by the State Sentence Review Board, which will determine the future course of the proceedings.

The apex court’s sharp remarks underline its growing impatience with the state’s handling of the remission plea, which has kept the matter in limbo despite Singh’s prolonged incarceration.