Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has refused the plea of Hindutva activist Ravindra Pal, also known as Dara Singh, for premature release from prison in connection with the 1999 Keonjhar killings of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two minor sons, officials said on Tuesday.
SSRB decision, Supreme Court direction and past rejections
The State Sentence Review Board (SSRB) took the decision at a special meeting held on 31 August, resolving that “in view of certain facts and circumstances, the Board is not inclined to recommend his premature release at this stage”, according to officials. The move follows a direction from the Supreme Court asking the state government to take a decision on the convict’s plea.
The Board has repeatedly declined similar requests from Singh in the past. Official records show prior rejections on:
| SSRB decision date | Outcome |
|---|---|
| 24 November 2016 | Rejected |
| 24 June 2019 | Rejected |
| 24 December 2020 | Rejected |
| 12 January 2022 | Rejected |
| 20 February 2023 | Rejected |
| 31 August (2026) | Not inclined to recommend |
District report and concerns over public order
In its August 31 proceedings the Board considered a March 2025 recommendation from Keonjhar district authorities, who had suggested that Singh might be released prematurely under certain conditions to maintain social harmony. However, the Board found the district report to be inconclusive and lacking a clear recommendation.
District authorities had also recorded public demonstrations in connection with the proposed release. On 15 August — the date noted in the record — about 200-250 people reportedly associated with the Dara Sena assembled outside Keonjhar District Jail and raised provocative slogans, the Board’s proceedings state. The SSRB cited societal ramifications and the potential for communal disturbance among the reasons for not recommending release.
“In view of all the above-mentioned facts & circumstances, the Board is therefore not inclined to recommend his premature release at this stage.”
Supreme Court timeline
The Supreme Court bench of Justices Manoj Misra and Vijay Bishnoi had questioned the delay in taking a decision and asked the Board to decide the matter without further adjournments. The matter is listed for further hearing on 17 September, according to records.
Case background and sentencing
Singh is serving life imprisonment for his role in the January 1999 attack at Manoharpur in Keonjhar district, in which missionary Graham Staines and his two sons, Philip (10) and Timothy (6), were burned to death while asleep in a vehicle. The 1999 killings drew widespread national and international condemnation and remain a sensitive communal flashpoint in parts of the state.
Practical implications for residents and public authorities
Officials cited the likelihood of societal ramifications and the risk of communal tension as a key factor in the SSRB’s decision. In areas where the case has been a focal point of mobilisation, state and district administrations have in previous instances increased security, monitored public gatherings and issued advisories to maintain law and order.
- Residents are advised to follow instructions from local administration and police in the event of any demonstrations.
- Avoid sharing unverified information or inflammatory material on social media that could spark tensions.
- Report planned gatherings to local authorities and cooperate with civic directives aimed at preserving peace.
The SSRB’s approach underscores the tension between individual legal petitions for premature release and wider public-order considerations. The Board’s repeated rejections show a consistent emphasis on preventing communal unrest tied to this high-profile case.
The case will return to the Supreme Court on 17 September when the top court will take note of the state’s decision and the SSRB’s findings.
Note: This report is based on official statements and records of the State Sentence Review Board and reporting of related court proceedings.
