Background of the 1999 crime
The killings took place on 22 January 1999 in a remote village in Odisha. Singh and a mob set fire to the vehicle where Staines and his sons, aged 6 and 10, were sleeping. The attack followed accusations that Staines was converting local tribal people to Christianity.
Legal history
Singh was arrested in 2000. A trial court sentenced him to death in 2003. The sentence was later reduced to life imprisonment. The Supreme Court upheld the life term in 2011. He has also received life sentences for two other attacks on religious minorities in the same year.
Current petition
In July 2024 Singh filed a remission plea, citing good conduct in prison and remorse. He described the crime as the result of youthful fervour. The Supreme Court directed the state government to decide, but the Sentence Review Board has not yet submitted its recommendation.
Reactions and concerns
Christian groups in India have expressed unease over possible release, citing Singh’s past statements denying regret. Human rights activists note the case remains sensitive because of Odisha’s history of communal violence, including the 2008 Kandhamal riots.
Next steps
The Supreme Court has warned it will decide the matter if the state fails to act. No new hearing date has been set. [TO VERIFY: current status of Sentence Review Board decision as of September 2026]
