Defence counsel, who are cross-examining the Kandhamal nun, who was allegedly raped, on Tuesday questioned the identity of the victim.
Counsel appearing for the accused, who were arrested in the case, told a trial court here that the woman now deposing as victim was not the one who filed the first information report (FIR) in the case.
“The so-called nun who filed the FIR and signed in the medical examination report at the time of the incident two years ago is not the one who is recording her statements in the court,” said defence counsel Ajit Patnaik.
The woman who filed the FIR on August 25, 2008 had signed her name Lina (name changed). She had also signed similarly in the medical examination report that was prepared the same day. “But the one now recording her statements in the court is signing her name as Leena [name changed],” Mr. Patnaik and other defence counsel argued.
Moreover, the victim was unable to produce any document in support of her identity. The nun told the court that she was issued a photo identity card but the same was now lost.
“She also claims to have a driving licence to ride a two-wheeler but was unable to produce it in court and could not say which regional transport office had issued her the licence,” Mr. Patnaik said, adding residential proof, birth and blood group certificates were the prerequisites for issuing a driving licence.
Counsel questioned the nun about the error she made during the test identification (TI) parades. They asked her how she was able to identify five accused in the court but erred during the TI parades.
The cross-examination will continue on Wednesday.
