Riot accused freed by court to lack of evidence

Evincing the still existing culture of impunity in riot-hit Kandhamal, one of the main accused and the mastermind behind the brutal violence against Christians, Friday was acquitted of one of 14 charges by a local court.

The chauvinistic legislator of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Manoj Pradhan, was acquitted of arson by a fast track court at Phulbani. The accused has 14 criminal cases, including seven charges of murder.

Pradhan was freed to lack of evidence. His lawyer R.K Panda told media that the acquittal has given hope for a positive turnaround in the rest of the cases.

The firebrand MLA was accused of attacking and setting fire to several houses with his compeers at Pisirama village on Aug 27 last year.

He was arrested during the peak of violence last October in the aftermath of Swami Laxmananda's murder. While still in jail, the BJP representative contested in elections and won the assembly polls from G. Udaygiri seat.

Meanwhile, speaking against the court's inertia, the Global Council of Indian Christians condemned the "free hand" enjoyed by the Sangh Parivar who despite attacking and killing Christians is "acquitted and go scot-free."

The council called for justice and punitive measures against those threatening witnesses from testifying. GCIC has recorded nearly 2,600 complaints of which around 700 cases have been registered.