By Jessy Joseph
New Delhi, June 16, 2020: Burglars struck twice a Syro Malabar church in Delhi during the nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus pandemic.
“This is the second time since the lockdown began that miscreants entered the church and took away the valuables,” Father Nobi Kalachira, the priest-in-charge of the St. Jude Church in Ashok Vihar, told Matters India on June 16.
The burglars broke into the church in North Delhi on April 18 and June 14.
In the first incident they entered the church after removing the exhaust fans. They damaged the collection box but could not open it. They took away copper wires of the air conditioners, microphones, amplifiers and CCTV cameras.
“After the first incident we had covered all the exhaust fan holes with bricks but the second time the miscreants broke open the window panes,” Father Kalachira said.
The second time, the miscreants took away gold and silver plated crosses, amplifiers, water dispenser, chalices and ciborium.
Father Kalachira ruled out any communal angle behind the incidents. “The statues and tabernacle have not been damaged, it appears to be a case of burglary,” he added.
The priest said the police came to probe the matter after the church authorities informed them. A case under Section 380 IPC (theft) has been registered at Sarai Rohilla police station.
“The team has lifted finger prints but they are yet to make any progress in the investigation,” the priest said.
The parish that belongs to Faridabad diocese has 85 catholic families.