MAPUSA
North Goa Collector and District Magistrate Sneha Gitte, who recently externed Pastor Dominic and his wife Joana D’Souza in light of past criminal activities, has stated that the couple’s presence in North Goa could threaten public safety and can lead to inter-community disputes.
The collector has externed Pastor Dominic and his wife Joana D’Souza, in light of past criminal activities allegedly involving the couple, including actions that have reportedly hurt religious sentiments, induced conversions, and violated the Drugs and Magic Remedies Objectionable Advertisement Act.
According to the District Magistrate, ongoing investigations and trials suggest that the Pastor couple has been habitually involved in serious criminal activities.
“There are grounds to believe that the continued stay of the Pastor couple in the area is a threat to public safety as it can lead to inter-community disputes and situations of law and order,” Gitte stated in her order.
The order, issued under the Goa Maintenance of Public Order and Safety Act, 1988 (POSA), directs the removal of the Pastor couple from the jurisdiction of North Goa district for a period of six months.
Additionally, the couple has been instructed to report their place of residence to the nearest police station once every month, even if there are no changes in their address.
Furthermore, they must notify the Collector's office in writing within 10 days of departing the state and report their date of arrival to the police station within 10 days of returning.
The decision follows the arrest of Dominic earlier this year by the police on allegations of religious conversion activities and involvement in black magic, following a complaint from a resident of Tamil Nadu.
Although released on bail subsequently, the then Superintendent of Police North, Nidhin Valsan, highlighted several cognizable cases registered against the pastor couple under various sections of the IPC, advocating for their maximum externment period.
During the hearing before the District Magistrate, the counsel representing the pastor couple asserted that his clients had not committed any cognizable offenses, and some cases against them had been disposed of.
He requested the withdrawal of the show-cause notice and proceedings against them.
However, the public prosecutor contended that other judgments presented by the couple were not applicable and maintained the case's validity under the POSA, 1988.
The externment order has stirred conversations regarding freedom of religion and law enforcement practices in the region, prompting discussions among legal experts and civil society members.
