Eight acquitted in Kandhamal riot case for lack of evidence

Phulbani (Orissa), Jul 8: A fast track court today (Jul 8) acquitted eight persons for offences committed during the 2008 riots in Orissa's Kandhamal district, due to lack of evidence.

Additional Sessions Judge of Fast Track court-II B N Mishra acquitted the eight accused from Donagoburi village under Tikabali police station.

The accused had been charged with arson, rioting, house burning and unlawful assembly with deadly weapons at the village and for torching seven houses, additional public prosecutor (APP) S P Tripathy said.

Kandhamal district had witnessed largescale violence in the aftermath of the killing of VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati during Janmastami festival in August, 2008.

PTI