Trial begins in Sr Valsa John murder case

The trial of those accused in the murder of Christian nun and activist Sr Valsa John began this week.

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, the trial against seven men in connection to Sr Valsa's murder started Tuesday, even as new arrests are being made.

The lawyer for the seven men said the trial will include a formal examination of witnesses as well as material and circumstantial evidence. The trial will supposedly last for at least six months.

Sr Valsa was brutally hacked to death by a 40-strong group of unidentified men on Nov. 14 in her rented house in Pakur district, Jharkhand.

For the last 12 years, Valsa had been working among Santhal Adivasis in the coal rich region of Dhumka.

She had been seeking to protect the interests of the Santhal tribe, some members of which were displaced by the Panem Coal Mines.

Under the banner of Rajmahal Pahar Bachao Andolan, Valsa led the tribal agitation since early 1995 against land acquisition for the Pachuara coal project, a joint venture of the Punjab State Electricity Board and private firm Eastern Mineral Trading Agency.

According to friends and family, Sr Valsa had been under constant threat from several mining corporations. The Superintendent of Police had confirmed that the nun had filed an FIR three years ago where she reported that she was facing death threats.

Police are also investigating if there is a link between Valsa's murder and the rape of her associate.

Sunil Kumar Singh, Pakur deputy commissioner told media that a close aide of the nun had revealed to him that she was facing complaints in getting the rape complaint registered.

Following investigations, seven people were arrested in the case, including the alleged rapist, Adwin Murmu of Alubera village.

"Valsa was pushing for a FIR against the rapists. The rapists hatched the conspiracy the villagers to kill her. The rape accused has confessed to the murder," Arun Oraon, inspector general of police, earlier said.

The prime suspect, Adwin Murmu, 25, was arrested on November 18, three days after the murder.

The police initially believed the killing could be the work of Maoist rebels as Maoist pamphlets were found at the site. The pamphlets were perhaps left to mislead investigators.

Sister Valsa, who hailed from Kerala's Ernakulum district, was a member of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary congregation for the last 24 years.