The trial of Dara Singh, prime accused in the brutal murder of Australian missionary Graham Stewart Staines and his two young sons on January 23, 1999, was adjourned on Monday till the first week of April owing to the illness of Judge Mahendranath Patnaik.
The trial, which began on March 1, was scheduled to resume in the district and sessions court of Khurda on Monday, but was adjourned because the judge took ill, Dara Singh's lawyer Shyamanand Mahapatra said. The next date has been fixed for April 3 to 9.
During the trial the Central Bureau of Investigation produced three witnesses in court for cross-examination by the defence lawyer.
CBI counsel said the agency was prepared to produce another prime witness, Mangal Kurty, in the case on Monday, but will now have to wait for a month.
Dara Singh and the others accused in the case were produced in the court amidst tight security on Monday. But after the case was adjourned they were taken back to jail in Baripada.