Odisha rejects premature release of Dara Singh serving life for murder of Graham Staines, two sons

The premature release of Rabindra Kumar Pal alias Dara Singh, serving a life sentence for the murder of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two minor sons, has hit a deadlock, with the State Sentence Review Board (SSRB) rejecting his release after the Supreme Court directed the Odisha government to take a clear stand on the matter. Earlier, the Director General of Prisons and Correctional Service and Kendujhar Jail Authorities had recommended his release on grounds of good behaviour.

“The Kendujhar district authority on August 28, 2026 have reported that on August 15, 2026, a congregation comprising approximately 200-250 persons associated with Dara Sena assembled in front of the District Jail, Kendujhar in connection with the proposed release of the convict, during which provocative slogans were reportedly raised,” says the proceeding copy of SSRB’s August 31, 2026 meeting.

Two senior regional leaders from Ladakh’s Leh, Tsering Samphel and Rigzin Spalbar, have expressed concern over protest marches proposed to demand Statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. They are instead pushing for elections to local hill councils in newly created districts.