Odisha SSRB Rejects Dara Singh’s Premature Release Plea Again

The Odisha State Sentence Review Board (SSRB) has once again rejected the premature release plea of Dara Singh, convicted in the 1999 Graham Staines murder case.

The Board cited concerns over social harmony and inconclusive district reports as reasons for denial.

Singh’s pleas have been rejected multiple times in the past — November 2016, June 2019, December 2020, January 2022, and February 2023 — primarily due to fears of communal disturbance.

In March 2025, Kendujhar district authorities gave a conditional recommendation for Singh’s release under specific terms.

However, a subsequent report in August 2026 noted a gathering of 200–250 Dara Sena supporters outside the district jail, raising provocative slogans.

This report was deemed inconclusive and lacked clear recommendations.

The SSRB concluded it was not inclined to recommend Singh’s release at this stage, citing the need to safeguard social harmony.