Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Supreme Court Orders Odisha to Decide Dara Singh Remission Plea
The Supreme Court told Odisha to make a decision about Dara Singh’s request for early release.
Singh is in prison for killing missionary Graham Stuart Staines and his two sons in 1999.
He was first given a death sentence, but it was later changed to life in prison.
Singh has now spent more than 26 years behind bars.
He says Odisha’s rules may allow him to be considered for release.
The court was unhappy because the government had taken a long time to decide.
Odisha must now tell the court what it has decided by September 17.
If officials do not act, the court said it may summon them.
The Supreme Court criticised Odisha for delaying a decision on Dara Singh’s remission plea for nearly two years.
Singh, serving a life sentence for the 1999 murder of Graham Stuart Staines and his two sons, has spent more than 26 years in prison.
The court directed Odisha to decide the plea and report the outcome by September 17.
Singh seeks premature release under Odisha’s 2022 guidelines, citing his long imprisonment and claimed rehabilitation.
Singh’s death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment by the Orissa High Court in 2005, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court in 2011.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, the Odisha government, and Ravindra Pal alias Dara Singh, a life convict.
- What
- The Supreme Court ordered Odisha to decide Singh’s delayed remission plea and report its decision.
- When
- The direction was issued Tuesday, with the matter listed for September 17; the murders occurred on the night of January 22-23, 1999.
- Where
- The legal proceedings are before the Supreme Court; the murders occurred in Manoharpur village in Keonjhar district, Odisha.
- Why
- Singh seeks premature release under Odisha’s 2022 guidelines after serving more than 26 years, while the court wants the state to end the prolonged delay.
Supreme Court and Singh’s Position
Odisha Government’s Position
Delay in deciding the plea
Supreme Court and Singh’s Position
The Supreme Court said Odisha could not keep the matter pending and directed the state to take a clear decision, warning that officials could be summoned.
Odisha Government’s Position
Odisha’s counsel sought an adjournment, citing the illness of the advocate-on-record; the government had not yet reported a decision.
Eligibility for premature release
Supreme Court and Singh’s Position
Singh argues that he has completed the qualifying period under Odisha’s 2022 guidelines, has spent more than 24 years in actual imprisonment without remission, and has repented and reformed.
Odisha Government’s Position
The state has not been reported as accepting Singh’s eligibility or agreeing to release him; its decision on the remission plea remains pending.
- Prisoner
- Ravindra Pal, also known as Dara Singh, aged 63
- Conviction
- Life imprisonment for the 1999 murders of Graham Stuart Staines and his two sons
- Time imprisoned
- More than 26 years, according to the report
- Court deadline
- Odisha must report its decision by September 17
- Release policy cited
- Odisha’s Guideline for Premature Release 2022
- Original sentence
- A CBI court imposed the death penalty in 2003
- Subsequent rulings
- The Orissa High Court commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment in 2005, and the Supreme Court upheld that decision in 2011