MARGAO
A day after the Vasco police registered a FIR against him over the statement made against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Fr Bolmax Pereira on Saturday knocked the doors of the South Goa Sessions Court for anticipatory bail, saying there is every possibility that the Vasco police would arrest him on account of brazen pressure and show of might by the alleged groups as seen in press release, which is also apparent on the conduct of the Vasco police in registering the FIR to appease the mob outside the police station.
The Sessions Court on Saturday evening issued notice to the Vasco police to appear before the Court on August 7 at 10 am along with the case diary and other relevant documents, if any, to show cause as to why the application for anticipatory bail should not be granted.
In his anticipatory bail petition filed by his lawyer, Adv Allan Andrade, Fr Bolmax stated that he has never intended to hurt any person’s religion or ideological sentiments which can be seen clearly on perusing the complex video/sermon available on the SFX channel.
Saying that he has been dutifully carrying out his duties as the Parish Priest since 2019 and his mass sermons are also broadcasted on the YouTube channel “SFX Chicalim” for the benefit of his parishioners, Fr Bolmax stated that on August 3, he was made aware that a short clip of his recorded sermon posted on the channel on July 30 was circulated on social media by some miscreants to allege that the statements are maligning Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
He stated that he immediately issued a clarification in the media that he regrets that his words have been taken out of context and that he had no intention to hurt anyone’s sentiments.
“I am a law abiding citizen who had no criminal record and is a highly respected member of the Goan society and is also a teacher/academician. On August 4, I learnt through social media that a complaint is filed against him for maligning Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. I immediately issued a clarification and an apology before the Press and the same was broadcasted live on various media platforms”, he stated in his bail application.
Saying that the alleged clip is not the whole statement and has been taken out of context solely for the purpose of maligning and falsely implicating him in a false case, Fr Bolmax said he has never intended to hurt any religious or ideological sentiments which can be clearly seen on perusing the complete video/sermon available on the SFX Chicalim channel.
Pointing out that a group of persons gathered at the Vasco police station has pressurized the police to lodge a FIR against him on Friday evening, Fr Bolmax stated that he is apprehending arrest for offenses in connection with the FIR lodged at the Vasco police station for offenses punishable under section 295-A and 504 of the IPC.
“The police attached to the Vasco police station has apparently registered the FIR only after receiving threat and pressures from the group, without following procedure laid down by the Supreme Court of India. A totally false and fabricated case has been filed alleging that he has hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindu community”, he stated in his application.
Saying that the police has issued him a notice under section 41(A) to appear before the police station on Saturday at 4 pm, Fr Bolmax said he is under a serious and reasonable apprehension that a viral video of the events at the police station on social media, wherein one of the police officers is clearly seen telling the people gathered that once the procedures for arrest are complied with, he would be arrested.
“Furthermore, the mob of people gathered at the police station also poses a danger to his life and safety”, he stated in his application.
