(July 09, 2010) A pro-Hindu political party leader, sentenced to seven years’ jail
for killing a Christian during the Orissa riots, was granted bail on July 7. The
Orissa High Court released Manoj Pradhan and his accomplice Praful Malik on bail on
condition that Pradhan would not tamper with evidence in other cases against him.
The decision has deeply disappointed Kanaka Rekha Nayak, the murdered man’s widow.
“It is an injustice to me,” she said. “If this is the justice system, I do not know
what to say.” Her husband, Parikhit Nayak, was murdered on Aug. 27, 2008. The bail
decision came after Pradhan, a BJP member and present MLA, challenged the judgment
of a court which sentenced him on June 29 to seven years’ imprisonment in connection
with the killing. Christians say they are disappointed with the court’s decision.
Pradhan was originally sentenced to “rigorous life imprisonment” but the bail “has
diluted” the punishment, said Father Ajay Singh, who directs Cuttack-Bhubaneswar archdiocese’s
social services. Pradhan’s bail “is unfortunate” because it will “affect the peace
building process” in Kandhamal, he said. However, Archbishop Raphael Cheenath says
people should not lose heart. “The law will take its own course,” he said.