Dara Singh, a Bajrang Dal member who was convicted for the 1999 murder of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons, has moved the Supreme Court seeking premature release from jail. (Rabindra Kumar Pal @ Dara Singh v. State of Odisha)
A Bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti today sought the response of the Odisha government in the matter.
Singh was part of a mob that killed Staines and his two minor sons in 1999. The mob had set alight a vehicle in which the Staines' were taking shelter in for the night. The Supreme Court judgment convicting Singh recorded that the intention of the mob "was to teach a lesson to Graham Staines about his religious activities, namely, converting poor tribals to Christianity."
In his plea seeking remission, Singh stated that he is over 60 and has been incarcerated for over 24 years, making it a fit case for remission. His petition contends that he has regret for his actions, which took place in the context of 'protecting the nation'.
"The Petitioner acknowledges and deeply perpetrated more than two decades regrets the transgressions ago. In the fervor of youth, fueled by', impassioned reactions to the brutal history of India, the Petioner's psyche momentarily lost restraint...overwhelmed by distress at the barbaric deeds inflicted upon India by the Mughals and the British, found himself in a tumultuous state of mind. In a zealous endeavor to safeguard and defend Mother India, regrettable offenses were committed."
Singh was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2007. He adds that he has never gotten parole.
His plea has been filed through Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain.