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Mahendra Hembram

  • Released Murderer Receives a Hero's Welcome
    An illustration of Graham Staines and his boys. All three are smiling.
    Graham Staines with sons Philip and Timothy.
    Photo: VOM USA

    On January 23rd, 1999, Australian missionary Graham Staines, along with his two young sons Philip and Timothy, were burned to death by Hindu nationalist militants. Initially, authorities denied that the assailants had any connection to the Hindu nationalist group, Bajrang Dal, though such ties were later substantiated. While 14 men had been arrested in connection with the incident, 12 of the perpetrators were acquitted due to lack of evidence. The other two men, Mahendra Hembram and Dara Singh, were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.