Overview

• Mahendra Hembram, convicted in the 1999 murders of Graham Staines and his two sons, was released from prison after serving 25 years, citing good behaviour.
• His release was approved by the Odisha State Sentence Review Board and carried out under the state's premature release policy.
• The 1999 killings, led by Dara Singh, sparked global condemnation, with Staines and his sons burned alive in their vehicle in Odisha's Manoharpur village.
• Dara Singh, the prime accused, remains in prison as the Odisha government reviews his remission plea following a Supreme Court directive issued in March 2025.
• The release has drawn mixed reactions, with critics questioning its implications for justice and supporters celebrating the decision.