PANAJI
The Bombay High Court in Goa set aside the Chief Secretary's dismissal of appeals made by Pastor Dominic D'Souza and his wife Joan concerning the couple's externment from the North district.
The duo had challenged North Collector's externment order, which was based on police inquiry about their alleged involvement in illegal religious conversion and black magic.
Initially, the couple sought recourse through the Appellate Authority, filing appeals against the March 14 orders.
However, faced with delays in the hearing process, they turned to the High Court for intervention, seeking directions to the Chief Secretary. Despite the recent decision by the Chief Secretary, the couple once again petitioned the High Court to quash the order.
“Now the division bench has given us the judgement in our favour stating that there was no live link and all the FIRs which were considered were registered much before so there was no link between the FIR and the externment proceedings,” said a lawyer representing the couple.
Former SP (North Goa) Nidhin Valsan had recommended the externment for the "maximum period," as detailed in his report to the Collector on January 4.
