BHUBANESHWAR: Odisha govt freed Mahendra Hembram, a convict in the 1999 gruesome killing of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two minor sons, after spending 25 years in jail for good conduct, bringing back focus on the case and his co-accused and main conspirator
Dara Singh, who has applied for remission.
While Hembram was arrested on Dec 9, 1999, Dara, who was on the run, was netted by cops on Jan 31, 2000. Dara and Hembram, 62, were lodged in separate cells in Keonjhar jail for the last 25 years.
Police said Hembram, released from Keonjhar jail, was allegedly involved with Dara in burning Staines and his sons — 6-year-old Timothy and 10-year-old Philip — while they slept in a jeep outside the church on Jan 22, 1999, at Manoharpur in Keonjhar district.
“Accusing Staines of promoting conversion, Hembram allegedly assaulted him and his two children. The mob was being led by Dara and Hembram, who were raising slogans against Staines. Staines was pleading mercy. Hembram and Dara forced the foreigner and his two children inside their van and set it on fire by pouring kerosene,” said a retired police officer, who was posted in Keonjhar on the fateful night.
Upon his release, Hembram said, “I was innocent. But still I was in jail for the last 25 years”.
The focus now shifts to Dara Singh alias Ravindra Pal’s pending remission plea. On March 19 this year, the Supreme Court directed the Odisha government to decide on Dara’s remission plea within six weeks, and the case will come up for hearing in early May.
“Learned counsel representing the state of Odisha submits that the government is deliberating on the issue and will shortly take a decision on whether to remit the sentence. We deem it appropriate to adjourn the matter for six weeks,” the Supreme Court has said.
Dara’s application to the apex court requested a more liberal remission policy for his early release from Keonjhar prison, where he has been lodged for 25 years. On Sept 22, 2003, a designated CBI court in Bhubaneswar sentenced Dara Singh to death and gave life sentences to 12 others, including Hembram.
The high court later acquitted 11 others, retaining sentences for Dara and Hembram. On May 19, 2005, the Orissa high court reduced Dara Singh’s sentence to life imprisonment while maintaining Hembram’s life term.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s joint secretary, advocate Kedar Dash, welcomed the release: “It is a good day for us. We welcome the government’s decision.”
The state prison directorate Wednesday also released 30 other murder convicts from various prisons, citing the government’s premature release policy, following imprisonment periods ranging from 14 to 25 years in separate murder cases.
Authorities said their release was decided due to their reformed behaviour and conduct during their incarceration. “The govt decided to release several life convicts who have served more than 14 years in prison,” added Keonjhar jail superintendent Manaswini Nayak.
The 2022 govt guidelines specify minimum 14-year sentences for life convicts before considering remission, excluding serious offences. Serious murder cases require 20 to 25 years’ imprisonment. Age-based considerations exist for female convicts above 60 and male convicts above 65.
Official sources confirmed 14 life convicts were released between 2023 and 2024. Jharpada jail’s senior superintendent Manoranjan Pratihari explained that the state sentence review board, led by the home secretary, recommends releases based on district collectors’ and SPs’ remarks. Following the board’s approval, files proceed through the chief minister’s office, with final remission approval from the governor.
