Odisha Rejects Dara Singh's Remission Plea in Graham Staines Murder Case

The Odisha government on Thursday informed the Supreme Court that it has rejected the remission plea moved by Rabindra Kumar Pal alias Dara Singh, who is serving a life sentence for the 1999 murder of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two minor sons [Rabindra Kumar Pal @ Dara Singh v. State of Odisha].A Bench comprising Justices Manoj Misra and Vijay Bishnoi were hearing Singh's plea challenging delays by the Odisha government in deciding on his plea for premature release from prison. The Court had earlier strongly criticised the Odisha government for continuing to delay its decision in the matter. Today, counsel representing the State of Odisha informed the Court that the competent authority has passed an order turning down Singh’s remission request on August 31. The Court proceeded to grant Dara Singh liberty to amend his plea to formally challenge the Odisha government's rejection of his remission plea. "You take a copy of the order. Take whatever grounds you want to challenge it. Amend your plea and argue," the Bench told the Dara Singh's counsel.The matter is listed next after three weeks. "The State has rejected the plea of remission vide order dated 31-08-2026. Copy of the order has been supplied to learned counsel representing the petitioner. The counsel for the petitioner prays for two weeks' time to file an appropriate amendment application," the Court recorded in the order passed today. Justice Manoj Misra and Justice Vijay BishnoiDara Singh was convict