Phulbani (Orissa), September 9
Sitting BJP MLA Manoj Pradhan was today sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for six years by a fast track court for a murder during the 2008 communal riots in Orissa's Kandhamal district.

Fast track court-II judge CR Das convicted Pradhan for the murder of Bikram Nayak, a Christian from Budedipada of Tiangia village under Raikia police station limits on August 26, 2008. The judge also slapped a fine of Rs 15,500 on the convict, representing the communally sensitive G Udayagiri assembly constituency, for setting ablaze houses of people belonging to the minority community and inciting communal violence. Though Pradhan's name was initially not in the FIR filed at Raikia police station, his involvement in the killing came to light during investigation.

At least 12 cases were registered against Pradhan for his alleged involvement in the riots in Kandhamal which claimed at least 38 lives in the aftermath of the killing of VHP leader Swami Laxamananda Saraswati. — PTI