Goa govt withdraws attempt to murder charge against priests

Colva: Additional Sessions court, on June 6 dismissed Goa government’s revision application challenging the judicial magistrate’s order that dropped the offence of attempt to murder and grievous hurt against accused in the police attack at Velim church case in 2012.

During the hearing before the sessions court, public prosecutor Subhash Dessai sought to withdraw the plea as he received directions from the director of prosecution to withdraw the application. Subsequently, judge Edgar Fernandes dismissed the application as withdrawn, The Times of India reported.

The police had listed Fr Roman Gonsalves and 21 others as accused in the case. They were chargesheeted under sections for attempt to murder, rioting, unlawful assembly, wrongful confinement and restraint, and assault on public servant among other section of the IPC.

In November 2016, Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Ram Prabhudessai dropped the Sections attempt to murder (307 IPC) and grievous hurt to public servant while carry out lawful duty (333 IPC). The order had come as a relief to the accused. Aggrieved by the order, the state had appealed before sessions court.

On February 25, 2012, the police allegedly entered the residence of parish priest Fr Roman Gonsalves at Velim church while he was in prayer.

On seeing the police at the church premises, people gathered at the church. Parishioners were further agitated on seeing central paramilitary force personnel in large numbers near the church. This led to a confrontation between the police and the public with the latter demanding the reasons for trespassing onto church premises late at the night. The mob allegedly turned violent and in the confusion, it is alleged, members of the public as well as the police personnel suffered injuries.

The police filed a chargesheet against Fr Roman Gonsalves, Patrick D’Silva, Angelo Afonso, Darwin D’Silva, Agnelo Silva, Savio Silva, Nigel Caiero, Nelson Caeiro, Agnelo D’Souza, Marcus Barros, Adolf Fernandes, Tony Rebello, Mario Rebello, Alin Rebello, Atorim Pereira, Anjelo Fernandes, Savio Pereira, Max Colaco, Adlete Mascarenhas, Angelo D’Silva and Louis Fernandes.