Dara Singh (Bajrang Dal)
Dara Singh (born Rabindra Kumar Pal; 2 October 1962) is an Indian convicted murderer and a Bajrang Dal activist. He was previously a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He was convicted for leading a mob and setting fire to the station wagon in which the Australian Christian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons were asleep, burning them all alive, in Orissa.
Dara Singh | |
|---|---|
| Rabindra Kumar Pal | |
| Born | Rabindra Kumar Pal October 2, 1962 Kakor Village, Etawah district, Uttar Pradesh |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Organization | Bajrang Dal |
| Known for | Murder of Graham Staines |
| Political party | BJP |
| Movement | Cow Protection Movement |
| Parent | Mihilal Pal |
| Motive | Religious Nationalism |
| Criminal charge | Murder |
| Details | |
| Victims | Graham Staines and multiple others |
Date apprehended | January 31, 2000 |
Singh had been convicted in the murder of Muslim trader Shaikh Rehman, severing his arms before setting him on fire at Padiabeda village in Karanjia sub-division of Mayurbhanj district. Singh was also convicted of the murder of a Christian priest, Fr. Arul Das, in Jamboni village in the same district. The priest was killed by an arrow during his escape, after his church was set on fire.
Singh was arrested after a year-long chase in January 2000 after the murders of Graham Staines and his sons, and is now serving his life sentence in prison.