Orissa riot sentence ‘falls short of justice’

(July 5, 2010) A verdict of culpable homicide for two men accused of killing a paralyzed Christian during anti-Christian riots in eastern India’s Orissa state has disappointed Church people. The lenient punishment of six years’ jail for the two would encourage more crimes, said Father Dibakar Parichha, a lawyer assisting the 2008 riot victims. “It was the gruesome killing of a man, who could not move out of his bed,” he added. A court on June 30 convicted Sushanta Sahu and Tukuna Sahu of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and sentenced them to six years’ jail for killing Rasananda Pradhan. It also fined them 5,000 rupees. Pradhan, a paralytic, was burnt alive when his house was set on fire by Hindu extremists on Aug. 24, 2008, according to the prosecution. Bishop Sarat Chandra Nayak of Berhampur expressed disappointment at the prosecution, investigation and judgment, saying, “If there is no justice, people would lose confidence” in the legal system. Pradhan’s brother Ravinder also expressed dissatisfaction over the outcome of the case as the men were not convicted for murder. Earlier on June 29 an Orissa court handed prominent MLA, Manoj Pradhan seven years of rigorous imprisonment for anti-Christian violence. Although Pradhan was charged with the murder of Parikshit Digal, a Dalit Christian, he was convicted only for fatal attack and arson.