Witness testifies in Kandhamal nun rape case

A witness in the nun rape case today gave a contradictory statement conceding that the 29-year-old nun was raped and paraded naked after violence broke out in Kandhamal in 2008.

Debadutta Naik, a local farmer, during cross-examination at the Cuttack sessions court, said he was present when the mob attacked the nun and a priest at K Nuagon on Aug. 25, 2008 in the aftermath of Swami Laxmananda's murder.

He told the court that about 50 youths attacked the Baliguda Catholic Church and manhandled the priest and nun.

Naik said he saw both the Christians being paraded on the road with their hands folded and a mob shouting slogans.

The nun had injury marks on her face, while her body was covered with a cloth, Naik said, according to DNA News.

During cross-examination by Defence counsel Ajit Patnaik, Naik said he had earlier not spoken the truth in the nun rape case.

A case against the witness would be filed under section 193 of IPC for giving false affidavit to the court.

The trial in the case began on July 26 with the deposition of Fr Thomas Chellan, who was with the nun when the incident happened.

The crime branch of police, investigating the case, so far arrested 23 people.Two identification parades were held. 10 of the arrested were now on bail.