Trial in nun rape case proceeds after halt

The prosecution in the case of a nun allegedly raped during the Kandhamal violence in Orissa is back on track.

Lawyers working on the case last week went on a strike accusing the government of not paying their fees.

However, after the Orissa govt. resolved the issue, the lawyers decided to continue with the proceedings.

All the three prosecution (crime branch) lawyers had alleged "highly inadequate" fees and "inordinate delay in payments" by the government.

Archbishop Raphael Cheenath of Bhubaneswar had expressed his discontent over the halt in the proceedings which he said showed the government's lack of concern to the victims.

After the lawyers - Laxmidhar Mishra, Sangam Sahu and Akhaya Naik - decided to continue the trial, the court completed examination of prosecution witness KL Rao, who was holding the post of Inspector-in-charge of Baliguda police station during the August 2008 communal riots.

Rao was suspended with immediate effect for not acting promptly on the complaint, as the medical report stated possibility of rape. The cross-examination of Rao by defense counsels is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, sources informed.

Initially though the Orissa Police were investigating the case, the crime branch later took over charge.

The trial in the case began on July 26, 2008 with the deposition of Fr Thomas Chellan, who was with the nun when the incident happened.