Author: ENS
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: August 29, 2009
A fast-track court in Kandhamal on Friday
acquitted a BJP MLA, prime accused in last year's riots in Kandhamal, due
to lack of evidence.
Additional Sessions Judge acquitted Manoj
Pradhan due to lack of evidence, said Pradhan's lawyer R K panda. "pradhan
was accused of attacking and torching a house along with several others at
Pisirama village under Raikia police station on August 27 last year,"
the lawyer said.
Pradhan, BJP MLA from G Udaygiri, had 14 cases
- half of them murder -lodged against him over his alleged link with last
year's riots in Kandhamal. He was arrested in October last year and fought
the 2009 Assembly elections from G Udaygiri sub-jail successfully. G Udaygiri
bore the, brunt of last year's communal violence as several Christians were
killed and chased away from their homes by tribal Hindus, most of whom were
allegedly led by Pradhan.
