Even as the fourth phase of recording statements of witnesses and complainant in the Kandhamal rape case began here at the designated trial court on Thursday, the Baliguda Catholic Church nun once again failed to turn up to record her statements. However, it is expected that the 22-year-old victim will appear before the court on Friday.
“Since all her options to avoid the trial proceedings have ended after the refusal of the High Court to intervene, she is left with no choice but to appear before the trial court to depose and state her grievances,” said a defense lawyer here.
The nun was allegedly raped during the Kandhamal riots of August 2008, and it was at her insistence that the Orissa High Court had ordered the case be tried at the Cuttack district sessions court here.
Accordingly, the trial court had issued summons to all witnesses, including that of the complainant.
Meanwhile, trial court judge B.K. Mishra recorded the statements of two witnesses on the day.
The then Nuagaon police sub-inspector Arpita Khatua and Baliguda-based Jana Vikash Kendra's Latika Devi deposed before the court on the day, sources said.
Published - September 24, 2010 12:17 am IST
