QUEPEM, JUNE 4
Tempers ran high at the Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Ambaulim-Quepem on Thursday evening, over the alleged misappropriation of Rs 5.5 lakh.
According to sources, Arnaldo Rodrigues, treasurer of the outgoing Fabrica of Our Lady of Lourdes Church Ambaulim, had promised parishioners at a meeting in the church premises on May 16 to provide detailed accounts along with the bills within 48 hours.
“Accordingly on May 18, a meeting of the Fabrica along with the then parish priest and other parishioners was convened in the church hall, where Rodrigues was accused of misappropriating Fabrica fund of Rs 5.5 lakh,” informed sources.
“On the same day, Rodrigues in the presence of his family members reportedly assured that he would pay the amount within 15 days to the new committee,” added sources.
“However even after 15 days, Rodrigues failed to pay the misappropriated amount of Rs 5.50 lakh,” said the sources.
The parishioners later gathered in the church premises on June 3 but Rodrigues failed to turn up at the church.
“On the contrary, when Rodrigues was contacted over the phone, he behaved rudely saying that he is liable to pay the amount and they can do whatever they want, which however angered the parishioners,” said sources.
The parishioners after discussing the issue with the parish council members, some parishioners went to the residence of Rodrigues to question him over the issue.
It is learnt that late Thursday evening, Rodrigues filed a criminal complaint against Anthonjose Fernandes, William Fernandes, Lourdes Oliveira and other 150 parishioners alleging that the parishioners formed unlawful assembly, trespassed into the corridor of his house by breaking the gate, damaged tiles, vehicles and abused him.
The complaint was filed Section 143, 147, 448, 504, 427, 506(II) r/w 149 IPC.
Police teams from Curchorem and Quepem police stations were seen guarding Rodrigues’ residence on Thursday night, which continued till Friday morning.
Meanwhile, Anthonjose Fernandes and William Fernandes claimed that Rodrigues had targeted them by filing a false complaint, as they were in the forefront in exposing the misappropriation.
When contacted, Arnaldo Rodrigues claimed that the undertaking to repay the money was taken from him forcefully and under threat.
