The trial of Dara Singh, prime accused in the gruesome murder of the Australian missionary Graham Stewart Staines and his two minor sons, was adjourned on Monday till September 5.
The Khurda district sessions judge, Mahendra Nath Patnaik, announced the deferment due to absence of one of the co-accused in the case, Surat Nayak, who had reported sick in Bhubaneswar jail.
The defence counsel said that Nayak was suffering from tuberculosis, and therefore could not attend the court.
The defence counsel also wanted the court to direct the concerned authorities to provide proper treatment to Nayak.
In response to the defence counsel's request the judge said he would ask the doctors of the Bhubaneswar jail and the superintendent of the Capital hospital to submit a report.
The trial was scheduled to resume on Monday, after it was deferred last month due to absence of two other accused, including Nayak who was sick and suffering from viral fever and cough.
It may be recalled that earlier too, the trial had been postponed due to sickness of three of the accused. Earlier, in view of the slow speed of the trial the court last month advised the defence counsel and the prosecution counsel to sit together and find out ways for the smooth conduct of the trial.