Murder trial of VHP leader Saraswati begins

The trial of the sensational murder case of VHP leader Saraswati began on Wednesday.

Eight months after the murder of VHP leader Swami Laxamananda Saraswati,the trial of the sensational murder case began on Wednesday at a fast track court here.

The trial which could not commence on April 27 due to absence of a judge,began on Wednesday but could not proceed beyond 15 minutes as the defense lawyer raised an objection on a document produced by the prosecution.

Defence lawyer Mrutunjay Naik raised a question on the authenticity of the map of Jalespeta Ashram in Kandhamal,where Saraswati and four of his followers were gunned down while celebrating Janmastami festival on August 23,2008.

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Saraswati’s killing led to widespread communal violence in Kandhamal claiming 43 lives,burning of several houses and damage to scores of churches.

Of the six prosecution witnesses,only two appeared the court. These two persons — Binoy Chandra Kanhar,Revenue Inspector (RI) of Tumuldibandha block and Chandraseskhar Pradhan,the Amin — had prepared the map of the ashram.

“Though there was a map,it did not have signature of either the RI,Amin or the investigating officer. Therefore,the map was not acceptable in the court of law,the defence lawyer argued.

Taking Naik’s arguments into consideration,the judge C R Das sought clarification from the public prosecutor,who wanted a day’s time for producing a corrected version of the map.

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The proceeding of the case was therefore postponed till Thursday. The accused persons were not produced before the court on Wednesday.

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