Finish trial against pastor within 6 months: HC to lower court

The Madras High Court has directed a lower court to complete within six months the trial against a pastor for alleged misappropriation of donations made for the construction of a church.

John Elangovan had used the donation of Rs 50 lakh to buy 49.05 cents in his name instead of registering the land in the name of the church.

When Elangovan's petition seeking discharge from the case came up, Justice R M T Teekaa Raman said there was sufficient material to make a prima facie case against the accused and also frame charges against him.

Justice Raman said criminal proceedings were initiated after a district Munsif dismissed a civil suit in the matter.

The judge directed the Judicial Magistrate of Kallakurichi to complete the trial against the accused within six months.

Elangovan was a pastor at an 'Assembly of God' church in Kallakurichi and got the funds to purchase the land for the construction of the church.

On a complaint from Elangovan's wife, the panchayat was apprised of the matter and he agreed to return the amount or 're-convey the property to the church. But, he returned only 23 cents and sold the remaining to a third party.

Following this, the District Crime Branch, Villupuram registered a case against Elangovan.