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Dara Singh files appeal in Orissa HC against death sentence
Cuttack, Oct 10: Dara Singh, sentenced to death in the Graham Staines murder case, today filed an appeal before the Orissa High Court here challenging the trial court verdict.
Cuttack, Oct 10: Dara Singh, sentenced to death in the Graham Staines murder case, today filed an appeal before the Orissa High Court here challenging the trial court verdict.
In his petition, filed through his counsels Brahmananda Panda and Bana Mohanty, Dara pleaded that his appeal be admitted, the records be called for and the verdict of the trial court be set aside as he was innocent.
Dara also filed a separate petition praying for his release on parole to enable him to participate in the obsequies in his home village in Uttar Pradesh following the death of his father Mihilal on October 1.
The appeal is likely to come up before the court on October 13.
Dara was convicted along with 12 others on September 15 by the district and sessions judge, Khurda, M N Patnaik who a week later sentenced Dara to death while awarding life sentences to the others.
Senior counsel Brahmananda Panda told news agencies that in the appeal, Dara had claimed himself to be innocent saying he had no role in the killing of the Australian missionary and his two minor sons.
The petition also claimed that the CBI had failed to establish the authenticity of the fir in the case while stating that three key prosecution witnesses had failed to identify Dara in court.
After being sentenced to death, Dara had said that he would not appeal against the verdict in a higher court.
His counsel Bana Mohanty said that Dara had changed his mind after being advised by his family members, friends and many others to appeal against the verdict.
Bureau Report
Dara also filed a separate petition praying for his release on parole to enable him to participate in the obsequies in his home village in Uttar Pradesh following the death of his father Mihilal on October 1.
The appeal is likely to come up before the court on October 13.
Dara was convicted along with 12 others on September 15 by the district and sessions judge, Khurda, M N Patnaik who a week later sentenced Dara to death while awarding life sentences to the others.
Senior counsel Brahmananda Panda told news agencies that in the appeal, Dara had claimed himself to be innocent saying he had no role in the killing of the Australian missionary and his two minor sons.
The petition also claimed that the CBI had failed to establish the authenticity of the fir in the case while stating that three key prosecution witnesses had failed to identify Dara in court.
After being sentenced to death, Dara had said that he would not appeal against the verdict in a higher court.
His counsel Bana Mohanty said that Dara had changed his mind after being advised by his family members, friends and many others to appeal against the verdict.
Bureau Report