Kochi, Jan 14, 2020: The Kerala High Court has issued notice to a bishop and a priest accused in a case relating to the alleged forgery of documents for defaming Cardinal George Alencherry, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church.
The notice was issued on January 13 to Father Paul Thelekkatt and Bishop Jacob Manathodath of Palghat, the accused, when a petition filed by Santhosh Joseph of Kochi and three other members of Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese came up for hearing.
The petitioners sought a directive to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a proper investigation into the case under the leadership of a senior police officer not below the rank of deputy superintendent of police.
The petition alleges that the accused had forged documents in furtherance of proving their allegations against the Major Archbishop, with the intention of defaming him and portraying him as a corrupt person. The intention of the accused had been to strip the major archbishop of his titles, it further alleged.
They also said the police were reluctant to conduct a proper investigation in the case and book the masterminds of the conspiracy.
Source: thehindu.com