Team Herald
MARGAO: Cuncolim police have started serving the summons to the 22 accused, including two priests, in the Velim Church raid case. The Margao Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) has asked the accused to only appear before the court on August 24. Thereafter, the court will fix a date for the proceedings. The matter is expected to be shifted to the District Court due to the severity of the charges filed against the accused.
While Cuncolim police will serve the notices personally, Cuncolim PI Gurudas Kadam will serve the same to the two priests.
This comes on the backdrop of the massive signature campaign that reached over 30,000 parishioners from churches in Velim constituency. While the village has rallied in support of the accused, who have since sought legal counsel, the district administration is aware that any action against the accused can lead to a law and order situation.
In the past few weeks and immediately after the incident, several parishioners vowed to stage a ‘jail bharo andolan’ if any of the accused are arrested. The villagers are still demanding that an inquiry be carried out and the public be informed as to why the infamous raid took place. They want answers before the matter is taken up in the court, but it appears that their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
