Gornath Chalanseth, one of seven Christians jailed for life for the murder of a Hindu swami in the Kandhamal district of Odisha state in eastern India, has been freed on bail by India’s Supreme Court, World Watch Monitor reports.
Nearly 100 Christians were killed and 300 churches and 6,000 Christian homes damaged in the Kandhamal district after the killing of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati on 23rd August, 2008. Chalanseth is among seven men – others include Bhaskar Sunamajhi, Bijay Sanseth, Buddhadev Nayak, Durjo Sunamajhi, Sanatan Badamajhi and Munda Badamajhi – who in 2013 were found guilty of the murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Gornath Chalanseth’s stepmother greets him as he leaves Indian jail, on 21st May. PICTURE: Anto Akkara (via World Watch Monitor).
The seven – three of whom are Dalits, the other four tribals – continue to maintain their innocence.
Chalanseth told World Watch Monitor of his happiness as he walked free on Tuesday.
“When we were convicted [in 2013], it was a shock. It was very stressful for me when I put behind bars for murder, despite being innocent. Ten years, five months and six days [in prison]…I thank God for the freedom. My joy has no words.”
He said he had found “solace in prayer” while in jail.
“Prayer gave me peace of mind and I always remained disciplined in the jail.”
Chalanseth received an emotional welcome at the gate of the district jail in Phulbani where more than two dozen members his family had gathered, moving with him into a nearby church after his release.
“This is the happiest day of my life,” Rutha, Chalanseth’s wife had said earlier as she waited for her husband’s release clutching a bouquet of flowers in her hands.
The conviction of the seven men shocked India’s Christian community and Christian advocates have been fighting for their release ever since.
World Watch Monitor reports that a former Supreme Court Justice Cyriac Joseph and former Kerala High Court Justice PK Shamsuddin, have criticised the delays in hearing the men’s appeal.
“This [delay] is a failure of the judicial system. In the judicial process, appeal could be delayed for many reasons. But in this case there are no [technical] reasons to keep it pending. It seems to be deliberately delayed, perhaps so that it is brought before a suitable judge,” remarked Justice Joseph a year ago.
Meanwhile, the Christian community targeted in the attacks has been fighting for government compensation. World Watch Monitor reports that a year ago the Odisha High Court had forced the Odisha government to make available more than 153 million rupees (US$2.28 million) to pay compensation to about 6,000 people who either lost family members, were injured or who lost their homes in the riots.
