As many as 52 persons allegedly involved in 2008 riot in Kandhamal, were acquitted in seven cases involving house burning and church attack incidents during the violence, due to lack of evidence against them.
The cases in this regard were disposed at two fast track courts here.
While Fast Track Court-I judge S K Das acquitted 17 persons, the judge of Fast Track Court-II C R Das acquitted 35 others.
While two cases each were registered under Tikabali, Raikia and G Udaygiri police stations, one was reported from Baliguda police station.
The incidents took place in the aftermath of the senior VHP leader Swami Lakshmananda Saraswati’s killing on August 23, 2008. At least 38 persons were killed and thousands of houses burnt besides damage of churches during the violence.