By Matters India Reporter
Kochi, Nov 5, 2019: Another case has been registered against Cardinal George Alencherry in connection with unlawful land dealings.
The Kakkanad Judicial First Class Magistrate Court on November 5 asked the cardinal and Father Joshy Puthuva to appear in person on December 3 to answer charges such as criminal conspiracy and cheating.
Father Puthuva is the former finance officer of the Syro-Malabar Church.
This is the second land deal case against Cardinal Alencherry.
The petition alleged that the accused sold land handed over to the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly by the Alexian brothers to use for charity.
The petitioner alleged that the deal incurred losses to the tune of 5 million rupees. The petition states that the land, handed over to the archdiocese under the guarantee that it will be used only for charity purposes, was divided into plots with 16 different land documents and sold off.
Five similar cases are under the consideration of the court.
Soon after the court issued the summons, the Archdiocesan Transparency Movement demanded the cardinal resign from the post of the head of the Syro-Malabar Church and save the Oriental Church from further ignominy.
The movement also demanded the Church to initiate action against the cardinal as done by the civil court.