BJP legislator sentenced second time to imprisonment in Kandhamal case

For the second time BJP legislator Manoj Pradhan was sentenced to "rigorous imprisonment" by a fast track court in Kandhamal.

Pradhan was convicted for the murder of Bikram Nayak from Budedipada of Tiangia village under Raikia police station. The murder took place during the riots against Christians in 2008.

Fast Track II judge Chittarranjan Das sentenced Pradhan to six years imprisonment and imposed a penalty of Rs 15,000.

Pradhan's name although did not appear in the FIR, his role in leading a mob to attack Pradhan on Aug. 25 came to light during the investigation.

Pradhan was convicted under Sections 147, 148, 427, 454 and 556 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

This is the second time in two months Pradhan is being convicted by the fast track court. In June, Pradhan was sentenced to seven years for the murder of Parikhita Nayak, a Dalit Christian.

The 30-year-old legislator was also ordered to pay a fine of 5,000 rupees.

Pradhan had over 14 cases against him, mostly murder charges. His acquittal in seven cases of lack of evidence came as a shock to the Christian community.

According to sources, at least 132 persons have so far been convicted in cases related to 2008 Kandhamal riots.