Government examining release plea of Staines murder convict: Minister | Bhubaneswar News
BHUBANESWAR: State government is currently examining the remission plea of Dara Singh, who was convicted in the 1999 murder case of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons, law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said on Saturday.Harichandan revealed that multiple rounds of discussions have taken place regarding Singh’s possible release. “However, the complexity of the case, involving multiple convictions and sentences, posed challenges in the decision-making process,” he said.The minister emphasised that any decision on Singh’s release would require consultation and consent from the Union govt. “We are carefully examining the matter considering the multiple convictions involved,” Harichandan told TOI.The Supreme Court, during a hearing on March 19, expected the government to reach a decision before the next hearing date. The apex court on May 14 deferred the matter to Aug 11, seeking a counter affidavit by the respondents (state government and CBI) within eight weeks and a rejoinder affidavit, if any, within four weeks thereafter by the petitioner.Last month, Singh’s co-convict, Mahendra Hembram, was released from prison. When asked if this would influence Singh’s case, Harichandan maintained that all legal aspects are being thoroughly discussed in different forums.The case dates back to Jan 1999, when Singh was convicted for the murder of Staines and his two young sons, who were burnt alive in Manoharpur village in Keonjhar district. The incident triggered international outrage and widespread condemnation.“The discussion is ongoing, and we will move forward only after reaching a conclusive decision,” the minister said.Dara Singh was initially sentenced to death by a CBI court in 2003. His sentence was commuted to life imprisonment by the Orissa high court in 2005. He has spent more than 25 years in jail after his arrest in 2000.
