Arul Doss murder case; Judge declares witness hostile

Baripada, Mar 28 (UNI) A local Court today declared lone prosecution witness Shiba Charan Maharana, in the Arul Doss murder case as hostile.

Mr Maharana, when cross-examined, said he had signed seizure list prepared by police and had no knowledge on the contents of the list.

He further told the court that he had not seen any of the seized articles.

District Public Prosecutor (DPP) Ajoy Kumar Pattanayak then prayed before the court to declare the witness as ''hostile'' under Section 154 of Indian Evidence Act as he was changing his statement given earlier before police.

The judge accepted the plea of the DPP and declared the prosecution witness as ''hostile'' and adjourned the next hearing of the case to April 26 next.

Dara Singh alias Ravindra Pal Singh, currently lodged at Baripada circle jail, was produced before the Court along with his twenty other accomplices allegedly involved in the criminal case amid night security.

According to the prosecution, Dara Singh and his accomplices had raided the church at Jambani village under Mahuldiha police station limits of Mayurbhanj district in the midnight of Spetmber 2, 1999.

The raid coincided with ''Nuakhai'' festival, which was being celebrated by Christians of the village. Pastor Arul Doss, who was wounded with arrows later died in Anandapur hospital.

UNI XC DP SJC PG RK1908