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BJP MP to bear cost of Dara's defence

Onkar Singh in New Delhi

Dilip Singh Judeo, Bharatiya Janata Party member of the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh, has announced that he will bear all the expenses for the defence of Rabindra Kumar Pal aka Dara Singh, prime accused in the murders of Australian missionary Graham Stewart Staines and his two young sons.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Judeo, who has been spearheading a campaign to stop conversions, especially in the tribal areas of the country, said he believes Singh to be innocent.

"Isn't a man presumed innocent unless proven guilty? I feel there is an international conspiracy behind these murders. The killings appear to be the handiwork of certain forces determined to brand the Hindus of India as bigoted and bloodthirsty," the MP said.

Asked why he considered Dara Singh innocent, Judeo said, "There is no apparent motive that could have led Dara Singh to involve himself in the killing of the missionary and his two children. He was not going to gain in any way."

Judeo said no party had the guts to speak the truth because the politics of votes is involved, and accused Christian missionaries of converting people using all kinds of illegal and unethical means.

He lambasted Christian leaders also for adopting double standards. "I read a news item in The Asian Age dated February 19. The headline said 'Pope wants Pinochet's early return to Chile'. Former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, who is accused of killing thousands of people, is being protected. Pinochet is currently under house arrest in London. He is to stand trial for crimes against humanity. But Dara Singh is being prosecuted for no offence," he claimed.

Judeo promised "huge support" to the accused when his case comes up for hearing sometime next month. "The tribals will support him right through. He could not be produced in court two days ago because of the support from tribals," he said.

EARLIER REPORT:
'I wanted to teach Staines a lesson, not kill him'

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