Raipur: Bastar church attack accused, who allegedly set the church ablaze and poured petrol on Pastor and his seven month pregnant wife, have got bail from a court in Chhattisgarh after the pastor gave them forgiveness. Chhattisgarh Christian Forum, however, claimed that pastor was threatened and forced do so.
The Forum, an organisation fighting for the cause of Christian minorities, maintained that it will move to the higher court as the matter is associated with entire religion.
Baster police arrested two youths, Mriyam Borai (32) alias Babu from Dharampura area and Akash Singh (27) from Guru Govind Singh ward on Friday. The arrests were made on the basis of the sketches prepared by cops on the explanations of the victims. Police also claimed to have traced the localisation of these youths which is the basis of their arrests.
When the accused were produced in the court, the pastor Deenbandhu Sameli gave them forgiveness. In a written letter submitted in court, the pastor stated that bible teach the path of forgiveness and so does he. The pastor also sought forgiveness and wisdom for the accused from the god.
“The court granted bail to both the accused and the pastor gave them forgiveness,” said inspector Abdul Khan. When asked how the court can give bail to accused on the basis of a forgiveness letter, he refused to comment and said bail is the matter of court and police has nothing to do with it.
President of Chhattisgarh’s Christian Forum Arun Pannalal alleged that the pastor was threatened by the families of the accused due to which he was forced to give forgiveness in the court The Times of India reported.
“They have made the mockery of the law and constitution. Somebody can do anything with me, my wife and my religion and is it possible that court can let go the accused on the basis of a forgiveness letter written by me?” questioned Pannalal.
He added that the Christian forum will follow the case and would take it to higher court for justice.
Christian Forum also alleged that the accused were let go because they hailed from Hindu Organizations which are free to do anything in the BJP led state government.
“In March 2014, Tokapal block in tribal Bastar region was in news after an aggressive campaign by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad had led to a ban on the entry of and propaganda by non-Hindu missionaries, especially Christians. Many gram panchayats in Tokpal block had passed orders under Section 129 (G) of the Chhattisgarh Panchayat Raj Act banning all “non-Hindu religious propaganda, prayers and speeches in the villages,” added Pannalal.
Two unidentified men armed with sharp-edged weapons barged into a church in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district and allegedly set ablaze a Bible and other articles on April 17. The incident took place at village Karanji Matagudi Para under Parpa police station limits. The accused launched an attack on the pastor and poured inflammable liquid on him and his seven-month pregnant wife.
A case under sections 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship), 392 (robbery), 452 (house-trespass after preparation for hurt), 435 (mischief by fire or explosive substance), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC was registered against the unidentified persons.