CSW, 10 May 2018
The Odisha High Court has awarded enhanced compensation to 14 Christians who were victims of targeted attacks in Kandhamal in 2008.
Human rights lawyer Tehmina Arora stated that this outcome reflected the judiciary’s commitment to protecting the right to freedom of religion in the country.
In 2008, the Christian community in Kandhamal was attacked by hard-line Hindu nationalists. Over 90 people were killed, at least 54,000 displaced and over 300 churches destroyed. According to local sources, although over 3,300 complaints were made to the police, only 727 cases went to trial in fast-track courts, where 88.6% of the accused were acquitted.