One gets bail in Kandhamal nun rape case

The Orissa High Court today granted bail to Gururam Patra who was arrested last year in connection with the alleged rape of a Catholic nun in Kandhamal district.

The Orissa High Court on Saturday granted bail to Gururam Patra who was arrested last year in connection with the alleged rape of a Catholic nun in Kandhamal district.

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A single judge bench of Justice C R Dash granted bail to Patra after observing that although he was leading a mob in the aftermath of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati's murder in August 2008, there was no evidence of his involvement in the rape case.

Patra's bail applications were earlier rejected by two local courts of the district.

The 29-year-old nun was allegedly raped by a mob at K Nuagaon village under Baliguda police station area in Kandhamal on August 25, two days after killing of the VHP leader.

Patra was arrested by the Crime Branch of police last year.