Dara Singh, who is serving a life sentence in the murder case of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons, is likely to be released from prison by August 15, according to his lawyer.

Dara Singh’s advocate AP Singh said the Supreme Court has directed that he be released by August 15. He added that if the release does not take place within the given timeframe, the matter will come up for hearing again before the Supreme Court on August 19.

The lawyer said the State Sentence Review Board has already informed the Supreme Court regarding the issue.

Dara Singh has spent nearly 26 years in prison after being convicted in one of the most high-profile criminal cases in Odisha.

Graham Staines Murder Case

The incident took place on the night of January 22, 1999, at Manoharpur village in Keonjhar district of Odisha. Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons, Philip and Timothy, were sleeping inside their vehicle when it was allegedly set on fire, killing all three.

The incident triggered widespread condemnation across India and abroad.

Following an investigation, the CBI Special Court in Bhubaneswar convicted Dara Singh and other accused persons in connection with the killings. Dara Singh was awarded a life sentence.

Another convict in the case, Mahendra Hembram, was released from Choudwar Jail last year after completing 25 years of imprisonment, based on his good conduct.

The issue of Dara Singh’s possible release has once again drawn attention following the Supreme Court’s directions. The final process will depend on the completion of legal and administrative procedures by the concerned authorities.