The Supreme Court, on Wednesday, rejected a plea for CBI probe into the rape of a nun in Kandhamal district of Orissa. At the same time the Court has asked the Nun to co-operate in Crime Branch enquiry.

A three judge bench headed by Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan also asked the Orissa government to take generous view in re- building churches in the riot-hit Kandhamal.

The bench, consisting of Justice P. Sathasivam and Justice J.M. Panchal, rejected the plea for a CBI probe of Cuttack Archbishop Raphel Cheenath saying that the state police have already arrested nine accused.  

"At this stage we do not think that handing over the investigation into the case from the state police to the CBI is in the interest of the victim as well as in the interest of justice. We think that the victim will cooperate with the state police," the bench said in its judgment.

The Court has suggested the state Govt. to take a generous view in identifying the damaged churches, assessing the extent of the damage and take steps towards rebuilding them. The archbishop has demand for a compensation of Rs.30 million to rebuild churches. But Orissa Govt. in its affidavit filed in the Supreme Court has rejected the demand citing secular reasons.

The nun was allegedly raped on 25th of August during Orissa bandh at K.Nuagaon in Kandhamal. The court adjourned the matter for next hearing to the first week in January.