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Orissa orders CBI probe into Staines murder

The Orissa government has ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the killing of Australian missionary Graham Stewart Staines and his two minor sons at Manoharpur village in Keonjhar district on January 22.

A formal letter of request to the CBI is likely to be sent today, official sources said.

Staines and his two sons -- Philip and Timothy -- were burnt to death while they were asleep in their vehicle on the night of January 22.

Though nearly 50 persons have arrested in the case, the main accused in the gruesome incident Dara Singh, reportedly of the Bajrang Dal, is yet to be nabbed.

The Orissa police have announced a cash reward of Rs 100,000 to anyone who could provide any clue leading to his arrest. However, the accused has challenged the police to arrest him and collect Rs 5 million from him as reward.

The United Christian Forum has expressed satisfaction over the state government's decision to hand over the probe to the CBI. ''It is a reassuring move,'' said UCF's Bijoy Pradhan.

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