Supreme Court to hear petition filed by Catholic church

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a petition filed by the Catholic Church pertaining the anti-Christian violence in Orissa.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) had filed a PIL demanding that the concerned authorities be it "Centre or state governments" take responsibility leading to the loss of life and property during the clash in Orissa.

Appearing for the CBCI, Senior advocate Soli J Sorabjee and Romy Chacko, asked the court to compensate and rehabilitate Christians who were attacked by Hindu fundamentalists.

In addition, it also sought guidelines for preventing communal violence targeting the Christian community. They asked for a CBI probe on the Kandhamal incident.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice P. Sathasivam has issued a notice to the Centre and Orissa government on the petition.