Court acquits 3 in Kandhamal case

A fast track court has acquitted three persons in a case relating to the killing of a physically handicapped youth during the 2008 Kandhamal riots.

Additional Sessions Judge of Fast Track Court-I, Sobhan Kumar Dash, on Monday acquitted Bidesi Nayak, Susila Sahani and Belalsen Kanhar in connection with the murder of Rasananda Pradhan Gadragam near Rupagam on August 24, 2008, during the riots.

According to the prosecution, a mob had surrounded the house of the victim, who was handicapped and unable to move anywhere. He was allegedly burnt alive after being doused with petrol.

Rest of the members of the family had managed to escape. The police found his charred body three days later.