Tuesday, May 24 2005 18:29 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Cuttack (Orissa): Seven of the 11 persons, acquitted by the Orissa High Court in the Graham Staines triple murder case, walked to freedom from the circle jail at Choudwar, near Cuttack, today (May 24, 2005). Dressed in white and carrying bags, the acquitted persons, who were arrested after the gruesome killing of the Australian missionary and his two minor sons at Manoharpur on the night of January 22, 1999, were greeted by a handful of 'Dara Sena' activists outside.

However, the family members of the freed men, who had been waiting outside the jail ever since the court pronounced its verdict on last Thursday (May 19, 2005), were conspicuous by their absence today.

Seemingly nervous, the acquitted looked around, apparently for family members, as 'Dara Sena' activists, led by the organisation's president Mukesh Jain handed them bouquets and garlands amidst shouting of slogans.

Eleven of the 13 convicts were set free by the High Court while it struck down the death sentence of Dara Singh, prime accused in the case.

The court, however, upheld Dara's conviction and sentence to life imprisonment given separately by the lower court. Besides, the life imprisonment of Mahendra Hembram was also retained by the High Court.

The seven released today are Mahadeb Mahanta, Thuram Ho, Kartik Lohar, Surath Nayak, Ojen Hansda, Harish Mahanta and Rabi Soren.