The Supreme Court directed the State of Odisha to decide on the plea seeking the premature release of Dara Singh, who is serving a life sentence for the 1999 murder of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons.

A bench of Justices Manoj Misra and KV Viswanathan heard a writ petition filed by Dara Singh, seeking remission of his sentence. Singh argued that he has already spent over 24 years in prison.

The counsel of the state informed the bench that the matter is under deliberation. Taking this into account, the bench decided to adjourn the case for six weeks.

"In the meantime, it is expected that a decision with regard to above shall be taken. When the matter is listed on the next date of hearing, the decision so taken shall be brought on record," the bench observed.

Back in 2003, the trial court sentenced Dara Singh to death. However, in 2005, the Orissa High Court commuted his death sentence to life imprisonment, a decision later upheld by the Supreme Court in 2011.

In his writ petition, Dara Singh, represented by Advocates Hari Shankar Jain and Vishnu Shankar Jain, argued that he committed the crime in a "fit of youthful rage" and is now remorseful for his actions.

Case History: On January 22, 1999, in Manoharpur village, Keonjhar district, Odisha, a mob led by Dara Singh set fire to Graham Staines' vehicle while he and his two sons, Philip (10) and Timothy (6), were sleeping inside.

Case Title: RABINDRA KUMAR PAL @ DARA SINGH Versus STATE OF ODISHA | Diary No. 11407-2024