The Supreme Court has compelled the Odisha government to reach a timely decision regarding the remission plea submitted by Ravindra Pal, also known as Dara Singh. Singh is currently serving a life sentence for the 1999 murder of Australian missionary Graham Stuart Staines and his two young sons. The court expressed frustration over the ongoing delays in the matter, stating that it could no longer be prolonged.

A bench comprising Justices Manoj Misra and Vijay Bishnoi conveyed their displeasure at the lack of communication from the state regarding any resolution. They instructed the state to either approve or deny the request promptly, emphasising the need for a definitive answer to avoid further postponement of the case.

Legal Proceedings and State Response

The state’s counsel informed the court that a letter had been circulated seeking a delay due to the illness of the advocate-on-record. In response, the bench referenced its earlier directive from August 19, which required the State Sentence Review Board to evaluate the remission plea and report back to the court.

The judges reiterated their prior instruction by stating that the matter cannot continue to be deferred. During the session, the court expressed its dissatisfaction with the state’s lack of action over the past two years, urging immediate compliance with judicial orders.

When the state counsel requested that the matter be rescheduled for September 17, the bench refused, underscoring that adjournments would no longer be considered. The court has established the next hearing for September 17 and instructed the Odisha government to confirm its decision on Singh’s plea as mandated by the court’s previous orders.

Background and Singh’s Plea for Remission

The Supreme Court had previously taken a strong position regarding the Odisha government’s delay in addressing Singh’s remission request. During a hearing in July, the court issued a one-month ultimatum for the state to decide. Singh, aged 63, has already served over 26 years in prison.

In 2024, Singh approached the Supreme Court seeking early release, arguing that he has already spent more than 24 years incarcerated. He described his actions as being committed during a moment of “youthful rage” and emphasised his remorse. Singh believes in karmic philosophy and expressed his desire for a chance to reform and atone for his previous actions by contributing positively to society.

In his plea, Singh requested that the state government be directed to review his case under the 2022 guidelines for premature release applicable to his convictions. His argument centres on the assertion that he meets the required criteria for consideration, having endured over 24 years of imprisonment without remission.

Singh contends that the authorities are legally obligated to evaluate his situation according to the Odisha government’s “Guideline for Premature Release 2022.” He claims that their failure to do so threatens his right to liberty under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. The case dates back to the tragic events of January 22 and 23, 1999, when Singh led an attack on Staines and his children in Keonjhar district, resulting in their deaths.

Initially sentenced to death in 2003, Singh’s penalty was later commuted to life imprisonment by the Orissa High Court in 2005, a decision confirmed by the Supreme Court in 2011. Another accomplice, Mehendra Hembram, also serves a life sentence in connection with the case, while eleven others were acquitted due to a lack of evidence. Singh’s plea reflects the complexities surrounding justice and remission in sensitive criminal cases.

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