the goan I network
SANGUEM
A cross was desecrated and a marble plaque of a government project was also damaged at Kamral-Curchorem on Friday morning.
Curchorem Police later arrested Francis Xavier Pereira (Boy) in connection with both these incidents. Incidentally, Pereira had been arrested in 2017 in connection with around 17 similar offences in different parts of the State, but he was acquitted by the courts in most cases registered against him by the police.
According to reports, both incidents took place at about 10 am when the cross was found desecrated near the Sai Baba Temple at Kamral-Curchorem and the marble name plate of a government project near
Sunil Garage was also found damaged.
While a complaint with regard to the desecration of the cross was lodged by a villager, Lucio Diniz, the other complaint was lodged
by Quepem PWD Assistant Engineer (Div II) Swapnil Dessai.
The complainants had reported a loss of Rs 10,000 each for the damage to the cross and the marble name plate of the government project, informed Curchorem PI Ravi Dessai.
Immediately on receiving the complaint, the police started searching for the accused and traced him at the Collector’s Office at Margao where he had gone to attend the court hearing in connection with extradition proceedings filed by Curchorem police.
However, as the presiding officer was not sitting, the matter was adjourned. The Curchorem Police then arrested Pereira under Section 295 (destroying, damaging or defiling a place of worship or sacred object with intent to insult the religion of any class of persons) and Section 427 (mischief causing damage) of IPC.
Curchorem police said the accused had admitted having desecrated the cross at Kamral and the marble
name plate of a government project.
During the investigation, police seized the Maruti van and a hammer allegedly used by the the accused in committing the offence.
Pereira is also reported to have informed the investigating team that he had purchased the hammer
from a hardware shop near Cine Prashant for Rs 260 to allegedly commit the offence. Police investigations are underway under the supervision of Curchorem PI Dessai.
