New Delhi, Oct 27: Dara Singh, who was awarded death sentence for murder of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two minor sons, has approached National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for permission to visit his native village in UP. Under police escort for performing 'asthi visarjan' and shradh ceremonies of his father, who died on October 01. In an application filed through counsel C S Rathod, Dara Singh, currently lodged in Circle Jail, Choudwar at Cuttack, asked the Commission to recommend to the centre and Orissa government to permit him to visit his native village Kakore in under Etawah district of UP and Hardwar in Uttaranchal to perform the said rites on November 02 and 03 or any other dates as fixed by his family members.
The Orissa government has already rejected his three representations for permission to perform in his father's last rites. Being the eldest son, Dara claimed that he had preferential right and duty to perform the said rites.
Terming the Orissa government's decision as "inhumane", the applicant convict alleged that the authorities did not apply their mind while deciding his representation.
Seeking NHRC's intervention in the matter, Dara asked it to conduct its own independent inquiries and recommend suitable action with regard to violation of his human rights and safety and security of his life against anticipated and unforeseen incidents during his confinement in Choudwar jail.
He also requested the commission to shift him to Tihar Jail here and transfer the pending cases against him from Orissa to Delhi for fair trial.
Bureau Report