Team Herald
MARGAO: In a setback to Cuncolim MLA Clafacio Dias, the Bombay High Court at Goa Bench on Monday quashed an offence under Section 295, hurting religious sentiments registered against Konkani singer Alison Gomes alias Alison de Curtorim with regard to a controversial song.
After a complaint from the Cuncolim MLA, the police had registered an FIR against Alison de Curtorim, which was challenged in the High Court by the Konkani singer.
It may be recalled that Alison had sung a song allegedly hitting out at the MLA which had gone viral on social media. Soon after, the Cuncolim MLA had filed a police complaint, wherein an FIR was lodged against the singer under 295, 500(A), besides other Sections of IPC. The MLA had also filed a defamation case of Rs 5 crore against Alison.
As informed by Alison’s advocate Ryan Menezes, the High Court passed an order quashing aside the 295 Section from the FIR.
“The 295 Section states that deliberately hurting the religious beliefs of the person. But we argued before the Honourable Court that Alison does not insult religious sentiments of anyone intentionally, and hence 295 not made out,” he stated.
It may be recalled that earlier South Goa Session Court had granted Alison anticipatory bail in connection with the same case.
The Cuncolim MLA was on record stating that he was forced to file the suit as Gomes accused him of destroying shrines — particularly crosses, prominent symbols of Catholicism in the State — and then rebuilding them to show himself as the community’s saviour.
HC quashes offence against Konkani singer
