BJP legislator acquitted in a Kandhamal riots case
Bhubaneswar, Oct 30 (IANS) A fast track court in Orissa’s Kandhamal district Friday acquitted Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Manoj Pradhan due to lack of evidence in a case of arson during Kandhamal violence in 2008, an official said.
Udayagiri legislator Manoj Pradhan was accused of torching a house in Banjamaha village under Raikia police station area Oct 1, 2008.
‘He was let off for want of evidence as there was a lone witness in the case. Only the victim testified in the case and the charges against Pradhan could not be proved,’ Special Public Prosecutor Bijay Pattnaik said.
Pradhan, who also faces charges of murder in Tiangia village during the violence, has got bail in the case. After the Orissa High Court awarded him bail, he was freed from jail. There are still 10 cases pending against him.
Kandhamal district, about 200 km from here, witnessed widespread violence after the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides at his ashram on Aug 23 last year.
More than 25,000 Christians were forced to flee their homes after their houses were attacked by rampaging mobs, who held Christians responsible for Saraswati’s killing although police blamed the Maoists.
The government has set up two fast-track courts to try cases related to the communal violence.
Related Posts
Nine convicted, five acquitted in Kandhamal riots case
Bhubaneswar, Nov 18 (IANS) Nine people were Wednesday convicted and each sentenced to four years in jail by a fast track court in Orissa for their role in a case of arson during the Kandhamal violence in 2008.
Five people, including a Bharatiya Janata... |
BJP legislator acquitted in Kandhamal riots case
Bhubaneswar, Nov 24 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Manoj Pradhan was Tuesday acquitted by a fast-track court in a murder case relating to the Kandhamal riots for want of evidence.
'Manoj Pradhan has been acquitted in the case. He has... |
13 convicted, 35 acquitted in three Kandhamal riot cases
A court in Orissa Saturday convicted 13 people and let off 35 others in three separate cases of rioting in Kandhamal district in 2008.
Fast track court-I judge Subhendu Das sentenced 11 people to five years imprisonment and fined them Rs.2,000 each... |
Three convicted in a Kandhamal riots case
Bhubaneswar, Oct 29 (IANS) Three people were Thursday convicted and sentenced to three years' rigorous imprisonment for destruction of evidence in a case of the 2008 Kandhamal riots, an official said.
Seven others were acquitted for lack of evidence... |
One held guilty in Kandhamal riot case
Bhubaneswar, Nov 30 (IANS) A fast track court in Orissa Monday convicted a person to five years in prison in a Kandhamal riot case.
'Sanjeev Pradhan has been held guilty by the court for setting on fire the house of Shravan Kumar Digal of Penagari village... |
On Christmas eve, three convicted, 26 let off for Kandhamal
Bhubaneswar, Dec 25 (IANS) A fast track court in Orissa convicted three people in two separate cases related to the anti-Christian violence in Kandhamal last year. But 26 others were let off for want of evidence, in judgements that came on Christmas... |
