After cooling his heels at various police stations in South Goa for close to two months now since his arrest on July 15, accused Francis Pereira may be soon out on bail if he is no longer required at other police stations in similar cases.
MARGAO
The accused, however, may suddenly realize that he will have to do regular rounds of the Courts in Salcete and Quepem to face trial and defend himself in the host of desecration cases, as the first charge sheet against the accused concerning the Paroda desecration stands filed before the Margao court by the police.
The accused was handed over a copy of the charge sheet in the desecration of the Vailankanni Saibinicho Khuris at the Chandreshwar Parbat road junction, Paroda, which was found vandalized and desecrated by unknown persons in the wee hours of July 2. In this case, the Quepem police have charged Francis for hurting the religious sentiments of the Christian community. He will have to face trial under section 295 and 427 of the IPC.
Incidentally, Quepem Police station in-charge, PI Pravin Gawas told The Goan that the Quepem police is investigating the role of accused Francis in three other desecration case, adding that three separate charge sheets will soon be filed against the accused in the court of law after capping the investigations.
Curchorem Police is also bracing up to charge sheet the accused in the Quepem court in the cemetery desecration case, besides two other cases, including the desecration of the Alma Khuris at Assolda.
Curchorem PI Ravi Desai informed that investigations against the accused are almost complete and three separate charge sheets will be field against the accused in the Quepem court.
The accused may have to face trial in as many 10 desecration cases in Margao courts. The Cuncolim police said accused Francis will be charge sheeted in the desecration of the St Anthony Church, Cabo de Rama and the desecration of the Seven Temples at Veroda. "We have capped investigations in these two cases. The Police are in the process of submitted the handwriting of the accused for expert opinion," PI Shailesh Nagvenkar said.
Margao PI C L Patil said the Margao police is bracing up to file as many as three charge sheets against the accused in the desecration of the Nandi and Tulsi Vrundavan of Shree Krishna Temple, besides the two crosses at Calconda and Power house. Officials at the Maina Curtorim police station pointed out that accused Francis will be charge sheeted in at least four cases of desecrations, including the desecration of Alma Khuris at Chandor, besides the crosses at Loutolim and Curtorim.
Charges
Sec 295 -- Injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class.-Whoever destroys, damages or defiles any place of worship, or any object held sacred by any class of persons with the intention of thereby insulting the religion of any class of persons shall be punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
Sec 427 -- Mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees.-Whoever commits mischief and thereby causes loss or damage to the amount of fifty rupees or upwards, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
