Author: IANS
Publication: The Times of India
Date: September 10, 2009
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/BJP-legislator-acquitted-in-Kandhamal-riots-case/articleshow/4995514.cms
A fast-track court in Orissa's Kandhamal district
on Thursday acquitted Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Manoj Pradhan
in a case of kidnapping and murder during the communal violence last year
as the charges were not proved, an official said.
Pradhan was charged with kidnapping and murdering
Meghnad Dighal of Sankarkhol village in the district during the riots. Four
others accused have also been acquitted.
Pradhan was also earlier acquitted in another
case of torching houses.
"He has been acquitted in two cases.
He was let off as the charges levelled against him could not be proved,"
the Kandhamal public prosecutor said.
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.
