Date:02/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/02/stories/2008120253210300.htm

Other States - Orissa

Nun’s plea on test identification parade

Correspondent

CUTTACK: The nun, who was allegedly paraded naked and raped in Kandhamal in August this year, has moved the High Court seeking a direction to the prosecution to conduct the Test Identification parade outside Kandhamal district.

A native of Baliguda of Kandhamal district, the 29-year-old nun, who is now undergoing treatment in New Delhi, has preferred to participate in the Test Identification parade proceedings either in New Delhi or somewhere outside Kandhamal district, if possible in Bhubaneswar or in Cuttack.

The petition filed by her advocate last week under Section 482 of CrPC is likely to come up for hearing on Tuesday. Besides mentioning that she was indisposed to attend the Test Identification parade in Baliguda for her fragile and traumatized condition, the petitioner also apprehends danger to her life travelling to Kandhamal.

She claims in her petition that many anti-social elements were still roaming freely outside the local court.

“On November 10, 2008 (the date on which she was summoned to appear in local court) a large crowd gathered outside the court including a huge crowd of anti-social elements,” the petition said.

The petitioner also apprehended that the Test Identification parade proceedings may not be conducted in all fairness at Baliguda.