Dara Singh, who is serving two life terms for killing missionary Graham Staines and a priest, was on Sunday sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a Muslim trader eight years ago.

District Judge Sachidananda Sahu convicted Dara Singh for the murder of garment trader Sheikh Rehman on August 26, 1999 at a market at Padiagada in Mayurbhanj district. However, the judge acquitted 23 others for lack of evidence.

One of the accused, U K Mahanto, died during the trial. Rehman was axed to death and his shop set ablaze. Singh and all other accused were present in court, except one Khageswar Dalei, who was ill. Singh said he would appeal in the high court against his conviction.