Lingaraj priest gets 18-mth jail term in state's fastest trial

BHUBANESWAR: Trial into the alleged molestation of a foreign tourist in Bhubaneswar ended in just three weeks with a court on Monday sentencing accused Kundan Mahapatra, a priest of Lingaraj temple, to 18 months of imprisonment. According to the commissionerate police, this is the fastest-ever trial in Odisha where an accused was brought to justice in 28 days from the date of occurrence of the offence.
On February 19, Mahapatra, 24, allegedly molested the 28-year-old tourist from Sweden outside the Lingaraj temple.She had hired him as her guide, police sources said. The next day Mahapatra was arrested and is still in judicial custody.
Police submitted the chargesheet against the accused in court of the judicial magistrate first class-1 within 72 hours (on February 22) from the date of the crime, whereas the trial began four days later. On the first day of trial, the foreign victim's statement was recorded in court.
"We accorded top priority to the sensitive case and completed the investigation quickly. Prosecution lawyer substantiated the charges in court, leading to the conviction," said commissioner of police Sanjeeb Panda.
Deputy commissioner of police Prateek Singh said the speedy trial will serve as a deterrent for criminals and instill confidence in tourists about the fast justice delivery system.