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HC grants bail to 44 accused in Staines' murder case

The Orissa high court has granted bail to 44 of the 51 accused arrested in connection with the killing of Australian missionary Graham Stewart Staines and his two minor sons in remote Manoharpur village in Keonjhar district.

The order was passed by Justice P K Mishra yesterday after the crime branch of the state police submitted a writ application under section 169 of the CrPC indicating lack of evidence against the accused.

On Tuesday, the sub-divisional judicial magistrate of Anandpur rejected the bail plea of the 51 accused on the ground that he did not have the complete case record. The accused then moved the high court challenging the SDJM's order.

While granting bail to 44 accused on execution of personal bond without any security, the single judge bench directed them to appear before the SDJM, Anandpur, or the investigating agency whenever called for.

Of the total 51 arrested for allegedly conspiring and killing Staines and his two sons on the night of January 22, only six were under judicial custody. Earlier, another accused was enlarged on bail in order to enable him to appear for his high school certificate examination.

Rabindra Pal Singh alias Dara Singh, said to be the prime accused, was still absconding. The state government had already announced a reward of Rs 100,000 for information leading to his arrest.

UNI

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