PANAJI
Following up on its threat, the State government dug out an over eight-year-old exemption in Road Tax on the purchase of a luxury vehicle to slap a notice for recovery on Siolim-based pastor Domnic D’Souza, who was recently embroiled in the ‘forced conversion’ row.
Director of Transport, Rajan Satardekar, who issued the notice, also held a hearing on the matter in his chamber on Wednesday where D’Souza was represented by a pleader.
“The hearing was held and completed. A final decision will be made tomorrow,” Satardekar said.
The notice issued by Satardekar to D’Souza on June 2 had asked the latter to show-cause why the exemption in tax payment for the Mercedes Benz (MV No GA03 Y2020), given to a charitable institution, should not be withdrawn.
“As per the opinion of the Law Department that a luxury vehicle like above prescribed one is not required for the use of any charitable purpose and therefore has come to the conclusion that the notification issued on 15/10/2014 is required to be withdrawn,” the notice issued by Satardekar had said.
D’Souza was also directed to submit his written say within seven days, failing which it will be construed that he has no say in the matter, Satardekar had also said in his notice.
The Sodiem-Siolim based pastor, who has been running a shrine styled “Five Pillars Church” was arrested on May 26 on charges of coercive religious conversions besides sections of Magic Remedies Act. A Mapusa court however granted him bail the next day.
The FIR, however, has no offences booked specifically related to the allegation of ‘coercive conversion’ against D’Souza or his associates as alleged in the complaints.
The case snowballed into a major controversy, with Hindu right-wing outfits hankering for stern action against the pastor and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant publicly stating that he will be investigated thoroughly.
Transport dept’s action strange: Adv Kerkar
MAPUSA: Pastor Dominic D’Souza’s counsel, Adv Kapil Kerkar said the tearing hurry of the Transport department to issue a notice and conduct a hearing to revoke tax exemption for a luxury car in the name of a trust appeared “strange” to say the least.
“The tax exemption to the car issued to ‘Dominic and Joan Trust’ was issued in 2014. We are now in 2022. It is surprising that first an FIR is registered against Dominic and Joan and immediately, a notice is issued on tax exemption on the car after seven years. There is no complaint from whatsoever or whomsoever regarding this exemption,” Kerkar said.
“There are many cases of tax exemption in the State. I do not know if all others have been issued similar notices,” he added.
He said when they asked the transport department for certain copies to file a reply they issued the same and fixed the matter for tomorrow at 11 am.
“Look at the way they are conducting the hearing. They are giving the documents today and the matter is immediately fixed tomorrow without allowing the party to respond properly. What is the urgency? You have waited for seven years. Can’t you wait for two or three days or a week?” Kerkar asked.
He informed that the government had issued a notification while waiving of tax on the luxury car in 2014.
