Kandhamal riots: BJP MLA sentenced to 7 years RI

Debabrata Mohanty, Jun 29, 2010 at 1622 hrs IST

Orissa A fast track court in Kandhamal district of Orissa today sentenced BJP MLA Manoj Pradhan to 7 years rigorous imprisonment for his role in the 2008 Kandhamal communal riots.

The judgement was pronounced by fast track court-I judge Sobhan Kumar Das while disposing of a case relating to murder of Parikhita Nayak, a Dalit Christian from Budedi village under Raikia police station limit on August 27, 2008.

The two-month-long riot, triggered by the killing of VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati, claimed 43 lives and witnessed burning of about 4600 houses and over 150 churches and prayer houses along with large scale violence.

Pradhan was also accused of setting on fire houses of people belonging to the minority community.

Additional public prosecutor B Patnaik said Pradhan was convicted under sections 147 (rioting), 149 (unlawful assembly) and 326 of IPC. He was also asked to pay a fine of Rs 5000.

Pradhan, the 36-year-old BJP MLA from G Udaygiri constituency, had 14 cases - half of them murder - lodged against him over his alleged link with last year's riot in Kandhamal. He was arrested in October 2008 and fought 2009 assembly election behind the bars of G Udaygiri sub-jail successfully after majority Hindu votes polarised in his support

G Udaygiri bore the brunt of 2008 communal violence as several Christians were killed and chased away from their homes by murderous tribal Hindus most of whom were allegedly led by Pradhan.

Pradhan said he would appeal before the Orissa High Court against the order. "I have the highest regard for the judiciary. I have faith in God," he told The Indian Express. 

Source: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Kandhamal-riots-BJP-MLA-sentenced-to-7-years-RI/640026/