18 acquitted in Kandhamal riot cases

Last Updated: Saturday, January 29, 2011, 10:23

Tags: Kandhamal riot cases, Orissa, VHP

Bhubaneswar: A fast track court in Orissa acquitted 18 people in two cases of rioting in the Kandhamal district in 2008, a lawyer said on Saturday.

While 10 people were booked for burning the house of Sramika Digal, eight people were booked for torching John Nayak's house. Both the incidents took place at Pipudidei village Aug 26.

Judge Sobhan Kumar Das delivered the verdict Friday in both the cases at the district headquarters of Phulbani, some 200 km from here, defence lawyer Ajit Patnaik told a news agency.

"He acquitted all the accused persons as the charges levelled against them could not be established," he said.

The tribal populated Kandhamal district witnessed widespread communal violence after the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and his four aides at his ashram Aug 23, 2008 allegedly by Maoists.

IANS

First Published: Saturday, January 29, 2011, 10:23

Comments

Jeff Ram Brijwasi - Toronto
It is sad if innocent people were charged by the police, but it is tragic if guilty people were acquitted due to the incompetence of the police and public prosecutor. It seems that the victims were poor tribals and the culprits were backed by wealthy Vishwa Hindu Parishad. The judge failed to take notice of the gravity of charges and pass strictures against the police. The state failed to provide protection and justice to the victims. The frustrated and fearful tribals should have a choice other than joining the Maoists. India does not need Maoists. India needs a cultural revolution to establish good governance, and promote peace, progress and prosperity for all.