KobyQ0272234 at 07:33, 18 February 2026

2026-02-18T07:33:37Z

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{{short description|Rape of a nun in Odisha}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
The '''2008 Kandhamal nun gang rape''' case refers to the gang-rape of a {{nowrap|28-year-old}} [[nun]] during the [[2008 Kandhamal violence]]. The incident received media attention during the riots.

The violence broke out between [[Hindu nationalists]] and Christians after the murder of a Hindu monk and four disciples. During the violence in [[Kandhamal district]], a Catholic nun who worked with the [[Scheduled tribe|tribal]]s was taken away, along with a priest from the house where she took shelter, by a mob shouting "[[Bharat mata ki jai|Bharat Mata Ki Jai]].{{cn|date=August 2024}} The mob took her to another place where she was raped till another mob came and paraded her half-naked through the roads, beat her, and attempted to strip her completely naked along the way to a market place, where onlooking police did not intervene.{{cn|date=August 2024}} The priest was doused with kerosene and an attempt made to burn him alive. Later the nun and priest were taken into police custody.

The nun blamed the police for allegedly being friendly with the attackers and discouraging her from filing a police complaint.

Later 3 suspects were convicted for the rape, and 6 others acquitted for lack of evidence.

== Background ==
The incident happened during anti-Christian violence that targeted Christian Churches, Institutions and homes where more than 395 churches and 5600 Christians' houses were burned, 39-100 Christians killed, and nearly 60,000 left homeless by groups led by the Hindu nationalist [[Sangh Parivar]] groups.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/10-years-after-kandhamal-riots-both-sides-say-they-await-justice-5322057/|title=10 years after Kandhamal riots, both sides say they await justice|date=2018-08-24|website=The Indian Express|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/current-affairs-trends/10-years-of-kandhamal-riots-what-happened-and-where-do-the-cases-stand-today-2885381.html|title=10 years of Kandhamal riots: What happened and where do the cases stand today?|website=Moneycontrol|date=27 August 2018 |access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://in.reuters.com/article/india-christians-justice-idINKCN0R821W20150908|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113153028/http://in.reuters.com/article/india-christians-justice-idINKCN0R821W20150908|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 January 2016|title=Christians seek justice seven years after Kandhamal riots|date=2015-09-08|work=Reuters|access-date=2020-04-18|language=en}}</ref>

The nun belonged to the [[Servite Order]] of the Catholic Church and was born in [[Sambalpur]], [[Odisha]], India.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Arimbra|first=Ameen|title=Fading shades of Secularism: Case Study Kandhamal Violence|url=https://www.academia.edu/25563733|language=en|website=[[Academia.edu]]}}</ref> She was 28 years old during the time of the incident and worked with the tribals at the Divya jyoti Pastoral Centre in K Nuagaon, 12 km from [[Baliguda]] town in [[Kandhamal District]].<ref name=":0"/><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/Nun-was-gang-raped-and-priest-brutally-assaulted-in-Kandhamal/article15313647.ece|title=Nun was gang raped and priest brutally assaulted in Kandhamal|date=2008-09-30|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-04-18|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oneindia.com/2008/10/04/hindu-girl-gang-raped-murdered-orissa-1223111100.html|title=Hindu girl gang-raped, murdered in Orissa|date=2008-10-04|website=oneindia.com|language=en|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/kandhamal-nun--rape-trial-begins/652248/|title=Kandhamal: Nun rape trial begins - Indian Express|website=archive.indianexpress.com|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref><ref name=":7" />

The nun was very active in spreading information about various central government employment schemes like the [[National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005]] (NREGS) to the tribals. She was also helping the tribals with various [[micro-finance]] schemes. The non-tribal community were reportedly angry after their business took a hit from the nun's work. During 2007 and early 2008, the social service organization, [[Jan Vikas]], where she worked was targeted several times. She asked for police protection, the day before the incident but the police did not respond.<ref name=":7">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PzEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA27|title=Outlook|date=2008-11-10|publisher=Outlook Publishing|volume=48|issue=45|language=en}}</ref>

== Incident ==
During the evening of 24 August 2008, a large mob arrived in front of the Divya jyoti centre where the nun was staying and she ran out through the back door, along with a few others, into the forest and sheltered at the house of a Hindu man for the night. The mob later set the Divya jyoti centre on fire.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lastampa.it/vatican-insider/en/2015/08/24/news/india-the-hindu-woman-who-risked-her-life-to-save-a-group-of-nuns-1.35235126|title=India: The Hindu woman who risked her life to save a group of nuns|date=2015-08-24|website=lastampa.it|language=it-IT|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/2/8563/Kandhamal-8-Years-After-The-Persistence-of-Memory-As-Retold-By-Sister-M|title=Kandhamal 8 Years After: The Persistence of Memory As Retold By Sister M|website=The Citizen|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-18|archive-date=24 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024004226/https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/2/8563/Kandhamal-8-Years-After-The-Persistence-of-Memory-As-Retold-By-Sister-M}}</ref><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/nun-was-paraded-half-nude-after-rape-govt/story-esC5aJeo3eEK18E9NWyHbL.html|title=Nun was paraded half-nude after rape: Govt|date=2009-07-23|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2020-04-19}}</ref>

The rape incident happened around 1 p.m on 25 August. A mob of 2000 assembled near the house shouting "Bharat Mata ki jai", and about 40-50 men armed with iron rods, [[:wikt:lathi|lathis]], [[sickle]]s, axes, spades and [[crowbar (tool)|crowbar]]s entered the house where she was staying. They slapped her and pulled her out of the house by her hair.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/38-days-later-Orissa-govt-admits-nuns-rape/articleshow/3556112.cms|title=38 days later, Orissa govt admits nun's rape {{!}} India News - Times of India|last=TNN|website=The Times of India|date=4 October 2008 |language=en|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref> The nun also claimed two men attempted to [[decapitate]] her with an axe. Another priest who also took shelter in the house where she stayed was also taken out and beaten. The priest alleged that the men shouted [[Hindutva|pro-Hindutva]] slogans and wore [[Saffron (color)|saffron]] bandanas.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article5010294.ece|title=Nun Meena Lalita Barwa tells of brutal rape by Hindu mob in India - Times Online|date=2011-05-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510203634/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article5010294.ece|access-date=2020-04-18|archive-date=2011-05-10}}</ref> The mob took her to a burnt down building, tore off her upper clothing, and she was gang-raped with two of the attackers standing on her hands. She lost consciousness and couldn't recall incidents after the assault.<ref name=":1" /> The priest was also beaten up and doused with kersone by the mob who threatened to set him on fire, as he protested. Another mob came there during the same time shouting "where is the nun" and "at-least hundred people should rape her". The nun claimed that the mob then took her and the priest outside and were searching for a rope to tie them up and burn them alive.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2008/oct/24orissa.htm|title=Raped Orissa nun surfaces, recounts horror|website=www.rediff.com|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book|first=John L. Jr.|last=Allen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_iNY14c6keIC&dq=Sr.%20Meena%2C%20a%20nun&pg=PT16|title=The global war on Christians: dispatches from the front lines of anti-Christian persecution|publisher=Crown Publishing Group|year=2013|isbn=978-0-7704-3735-0|edition=First|location=New York|pages=8–16|oclc=858610913}}</ref><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sabrang.com/cc/archive/2012/jan2012/citizens%20tribunal%20Kandhamal%20Report%20Full.pdf|title=National People's Tribunal on Kandhamal - Final report|date=22-24 Aug 2010|website=National People's Tribunal}}</ref>

{{Quote box
| quote = The police failed to stop the misdemeanours and failed to defend me from the assailants, they were friendly with the assailants, they tried their best to make sure that I did not register an FIR and to not make complaints against the police, they didn't take down my testimony as I recounted the incident in detail and deserted me half-way.<br />
I was raped and now I don't want to be victimised by the police of Orissa. I want an investigation from the CBI. <br />
God bless India, God bless you all.
| source = -Sister Meena <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2008/oct/24nun.htm|title=Nun's statement details rape, violence|website=www.rediff.com|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref>
| align = right
| width = 41em
| bgcolor = #c9e9ff
}}

The mob then paraded the nun half-naked without her upper clothing for more than a half-kilometer to a marketplace where people made lewd remarks such as "Hi beautiful" and commented on the size of her breasts.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/nun-paraded-half-nude-after-rape-orissa-govt-398562|title=Nun paraded half-nude after rape: Orissa govt|website=NDTV.com|access-date=2020-04-19}}</ref> The mob kept beating her and attempted to strip her completely naked along the way. The nun claimed that when she asked for help from some policemen and sat beside them, they did not even flinch. As she was laying there in her blood, some people were collecting tyres to burn her and the priest alive.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/as-i-lay-bloodied-they-collected-tyres-to-burn-me/368166/0|title='As I lay bloodied, they collected tyres to burn me' - Indian Express|website=archive.indianexpress.com|access-date=2020-04-19}}</ref> The mob then took them to a police outpost along with a policeman. The nun claimed that the mob said they would return after taking a food break, and that the police were very friendly with a man who attacked her, and discouraged her from filing a [[first information report]] (FIR).<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> The report by the [[Indian People's Tribunal]] confirmed all the incidents.<ref name=":6" />

The nun and priest were then taken to a hospital for medical check ups, and in several instances, the police kept them inside the jeep or in the garages fearing attacks on the police station by mobs, and then took them to a [[Central Reserve Police Force]] (CRPF) camp.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/latest-headlines/story/nun-s-tale-haunts-humanity-in-kandhamal-32302-2008-10-26|title=Nun"s tale haunts humanity in Kandhamal|date=October 26, 2008|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref>

On the evening of the same day, the doctor who did medical tests on the nun confirmed that she had been raped.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7649984.stm|title=Four arrested over India nun rape|date=2008-10-03|access-date=2020-04-18|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080067507|title=NDTV.com: Medical reports confirm Kandhmal nun raped|date=2008-10-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081003210851/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080067507|access-date=2020-04-18|archive-date=2008-10-03}}</ref>

== Convictions ==
On 3 October 2008, the Police Chief of Khandamal district, confirmed the rape and arrested 4 people in connection with the incident.<ref name=":5" /> On 25 October 2008, the nun was asked by the police to help identify the rapists.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Orissa_asks_nun_to_help_identify_rapists/articleshow/3640222.cms |title=Orissa asks nun to help identify rapists-India-The Times of India |website=[[The Times of India]] |date=2008-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081028103243/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Orissa_asks_nun_to_help_identify_rapists/articleshow/3640222.cms|access-date=2020-04-18|archive-date=2008-10-28}}</ref> 27 people were arrested in connection with the incident by 2012.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/kandhamal-rapecase-accused-arrested/article3735246.ece|title=Kandhamal rape-case accused arrested|date=2012-08-07|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-04-18|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

On 14 March 2014, 3 people were convicted for the rape, and 6 people were acquitted due to lack of evidence.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/2008-Kandhamal-nun-gang-rape-case-3-people-convicted-6-acquitted/articleshow/31998696.cms|title=2008 Kandhamal nun gang-rape case: 3 people convicted, 6 acquitted {{!}} India News - Times of India|last=PTI|date=Mar 14, 2014|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/2008-kandhamal-nun-gangrape-3-convicted-6-acquitted-184887-2014-03-14|title=2008 Kandhamal nun gangrape case: 3 convicted, 6 acquitted|date=March 14, 2014|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref> The key accused was given a jail time of 11 years, but was granted bail in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|last=|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/11-year-RI-for-key-accused-in-Kandhamal-rape-case/article11411694.ece|title=11-year RI for key accused in Kandhamal rape case|date=2014-03-14|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=2020-04-18|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Prime-accused-of-Kandhamal-nun-rape-case-granted-bail/articleshow/50657826.cms|title=Prime accused of Kandhamal nun-rape case granted bail|last=Jaiswal|first=Binita|date=Jan 20, 2016|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref>

== Aftermath ==
Her public appeal mounted pressure on the ruling party to ban [[Bajrang Dal]], a Sangh Parivar group which was the most accused of orchestrating the [[Kandhamal riots]]. However the ruling party reportedly feared as such a move would mobilize the vote-banks towards the [[Bharatiya Janata Party|Bhartiya Janata Party]].<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sabrangindia.in/article/flashback-kandhamal-targeted-violence-against-christians-9-years-later|title=A Flashback to Kandhamal Targeted Violence against Christians, 9 Years Later|date=2017-08-24|website=SabrangIndia|language=en|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/web-exclusive/story/kandhamal-beats-gujarat-in-violence-statistics-32868-2008-11-05|title=Kandhamal beats Gujarat in violence statistics|last=Farzand|first=Ahmed|website=India Today|language=en|date=November 5, 2008|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bajrang-dal-planned-orissa-violence-cpm/articleshow/3638940.cms|title=Bajrang Dal planned Orissa violence: CPM|date=2008-10-25|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Jhabua nuns rape case]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

* [https://www.sabrang.com/cc/archive/2012/jan2012/citizens%20tribunal%20Kandhamal%20Report%20Full.pdf / National People's Tribunal on Kandhamal - Final Report]
{{Persecution of Christians}}

[[Category:Violence against Christians in India]]
[[Category:Hate crimes in India]]
[[Category:Attacks on churches in India]]
[[Category:Hindutva]]
[[Category:Sectarian violence]]
[[Category:Hinduism-motivated violence in India]]
[[Category:Gang rape in India]]
[[Category:Violence against women in India]]
[[Category:Kandhamal district]]
[[Category:2000s in Orissa]]
[[Category:2008 crimes in India]]
[[Category:Crime in Odisha]]
[[Category:Indian case law]]
[[Category:Persecution of Christians by Hindus]]
[[Category:Rape in the 2000s]]
[[Category:Sexual violence at riots and crowd disturbances]]
[[Category:Sangh Parivar]]

2008 Kandhamal nun gang rape case - Revision history

KobyQ0272234 at 07:33, 18 February 2026