Bhubaneswar, July 15: Seven of the thirteen accused, including prime suspect Dara Singh, in the Australian missionary Graham Staines murder case have been admitted to the jail dispensary following a hunger strike since Friday last demanding transfer of the trial judge, sources said today.
They had been admitted to special jail dispensary since Saturday last, the jail sources said adding, other accused were, however, taking food as usual. In a letter addressed to the Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court and handed over to the jail superintendent on July 11, they expressed apprehension of not getting justice from the present trial judge, Mahendra Nath Patnaik. "Until another trial judge is appointed, we will not touch food and water," the letter said.

The letter was yet to be forwarded to the high court, they said adding, only seven of the accused - including Dara - stopped taking solid food since July 12 last and were on lemon juice.

Dara along with six other accused were not present in the court today resulting in adjournment of the trial, sources said.

Bureau Report