District Judge Madhusudan Dhal here acquitted accused Anang Pradhan in a nun rape during Kandhamal riot due to lack of evidence. There are three other accused in the case. According to information available, 18 witnesses along with police were examined by the court at different points of time while the victim nun was kept in a separate room. During the trial the victim had reportedly identified all the accused persons. However, a medical report of the rape victim came negative and her statement proved false, said defence lawyer Kailash Panda.
Notably, after the murder of Swami laxmnanada Saraswati on August 23, 2008, a riot spread in the entire Kandhamal region. Just after one month of the riot the rape of the nun at Gandanaku village under Tikabali Police circle took place. Police had first arrested Anang and later the three others such as Ranga Pradhan, Babulla Pradhan and Manoj Pradhan.
The accused had been released on bail after four years’ of imprisonment. Apprehending problems in the proceedings of the local court at Phulbani, the victim had made an appeal before the Odisha High Court to transfer the case to some other court. After hearing the appeal, the High Court ordered to shift the case to Brahmapur court.