Riot-accused acquitted of kidnapping and murdering

Again a fast-track court in Orissa has acquitted Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Manoj Pradhan of another case emerged during the 2008 anti-Christian violence.

One of the main accused in the Kandhamal riots, Pradhan was acquitted of kidnapping and murder after the "charges could not be proved".

Judge Chittaranjan Ray also freed four others accused of murdering Meghnad Dighal of Sankarkhol village.

"He has been acquitted in two cases. He was let off as the charges levelled against him could not be proved," the Kandhamal public prosecutor said.

Last month, the firebrand MLA who was accused of torching houses was freed of lack of evidence. The accused has 14 criminal cases, including seven charges of murder.

Pradhan was arrested during the peak of violence last October in the aftermath of Swami Laxmananda's murder. He was arrested from a hotel in Berhampur when the communal flare up in Kandhamal left dozens dead and thousands homeless.

Interestingly, he even contested for the election from jail and won the assembly polls from G. Udaygiri seat. He is one of six BJP MLA's in the 147-member House.