The charge sheet submitted by the crime branch against seven persons accused of killing Laxmanananda Saraswati and four others does not, however, name any of the people behind the conspiracy.
Indicating active involvement of Maoist elements in the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Laxmanananda Saraswati and four others, the crime branch of the Orissa Police today submitted a charge sheet against seven accused.
The charge sheet, filed in the court of the sub-divisional judicial magistrate, Baliguda, in Kandhamal district four months after the killing, said Maoist leaders had formed a local militia involving villagers for the crime.
While local people executed the crime, the Maoist leaders planned and monitored the entire episode, it said.
The investigating agency mentioned in its charge sheet that a conspiracy was hatched much before the killing took place on August 23, 2008.
The charge sheet did not, however, mention the name of any Maoist leader or the people behind the conspiracy.
To get more information about the conspiracy, the crime branch has sought early dates from the Forensic Science Laboratory, Bangalore, to conduct brain-mapping tests on the accused persons, one of whom is a Maoist cadre.
The seven persons have been charged, among other things, with murder (section 302 of the Indian Penal Code), trespass to commit offence (section 449), and criminal conspiracy (section 120-B). They have also been charged under sections of the Arms Act.
The accused are Budhadev Naik, Duryodhan Sana Majhi, Munda Bada Majhi, Sanatan Bada Majhi, Gananath Seth, Bijay Kumar Sana Seth, and Bhaskar Sana Majhi, all residents of Kandhamal district.
Saraswati and his four associates, including a sanyasin, were shot dead by gunmen when they were celebrating Janmashtami at Jalespeta ashram in Kandhamal district.
Though the Sangh Parivar has rejected the involvement of Maoists in the killing and blamed Christian missionaries, Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda had openly claimed responsibility for the crime.
The crime branch’s charge sheet, which runs into 270 pages, is supported by inquest and post-mortem reports, a CD, and an audiocassette.
Saraswati’s murder sparked widespread violence in Orissa, particularly Kandhamal, claiming at least 40 lives and destroying hundreds of houses belonging to Christians and churches.
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