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Dara Singh, main accused in the killing of Australian missionary Graham Stuart Staines and his two sons in Orissa in 1999, was acquitted by the court of the sub-divisional judicial magistrate, Karanjia in Mayurbhanjdistrict, in a truck burning case.
SDJM Pravakar Mishra Wednesday acquitted Singh and 11 others in the case near Kenmudi village, saying there was no evidence of their involvement in the case.
Earlier, Singh was acquitted in a case of the looting of a truck, as no one come forward as witness.
According to the prosecution, Singh and his associates blocked a truck carrying 36 cattle at Asanbani Chak on August 16, 1998. They allegedly torched the vehicle after setting the cattle free.
Singh became a household name among tribals, particularly among the Mahanta community, with his stopping of the truck and subsequent distribution of the cattle to them free of cost. He targeted traders carrying cattle to Calcutta for slaughter.
Singh was involved in the cow protection movement before he allegedly targeted Christian missionaries against conversions.
Singh, who was allegedly involved in over a dozen criminal cases, including burning and looting of trucks carrying cattle, is in Baripada jail, in connection with the Staines murder.
The trial in the Staines murder case started early this month in Bhubaneswar, with the next hearing scheduled for the first week of April.
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