Nun rape case: Police file chargesheet against ten men

Orissa police has filed a chargesheet against 10 accused in the gang rape of a nun during the August 2008 violence on Christians.

Investigating officer, Dilip Mohanty on Thursday said, 10 men including the two identified by the nun were charged with gang rape under the Indian penal code.

The chargesheet as earlier ordered, was filed within 120 days of the first arrest in the court of the subdivisional judicial magistrate at Baliguda.

Jhuria Pradhan and his son Kartik, Saroj Bhadei and his son Muna, brothers Tapas Patnaik and Santosh alias Mitu Patnaik, and Biren Sahu, Somnath Pradhan, Gajendra Digal and Jharalal Behera were the 10 charged yesterday.

The crime branch is likely to submit a petition for issue of arrest warrants against another 50 people, identified to be part of the mob that assaulted the nun, Inspector-general of police, crime branch, Arun Roy said.

The 29-year-old nun was raped on August 25, 2008, following the murder of VHP leader, Swami Laxmananda Saraswati.

At a press conference in Delhi, the Catholic nun accused the police for ignoring her pleas while she was gang-raped and paraded naked by a raging mob. The incident led to widespread agitation by Christian NGO's and human rights organisations, which accused the government for its 'inaction' and lack of security.

The murder of the VHP leader sparked one of the largest violence against Christians in the country. Dozens were murdered and thousands rendered homeless. At least 300 churches were burnt in the spree. World leaders, including the U.N officials, had voiced their concern over rising sectarian violence in India.