Goa government withdraws serious charges against two priests

The Goa government today withdrew an application challenging the dropping of serious charges slapped against two Christian priests for attacking a group of special branch policemen.
Public prosecutor Subhash Desai submitted before south Goa district judge Edgar Fernandes that the state government is withdrawing the application which had challenged the decision of the lower court to drop charges of attempt to murder and grievous injury against all the accused.
A group of 22 people headed by two priests -- Fr Romanova Gonsalves and Fr Lucio Dias -- were charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code for assaulting the group of policemen near a church in south Goa's Velim village in 2012.

The policemen attached to the special branch including sub-inspector Kapil Naik along with head constable Krishnanand Rane and Kuldeep Desai were assaulted outside Velim Church on February 26, 2012.
Judicial Magistrate in Margao Ram Prabhudesai had dropped charges of attempt to murder and grievous hurt against the group including both the priests in November 2016.
The state government had then challenged the order before the district court which came up for hearing today.

Now the case would continue to be tried before the judicial magistrate of Margao as various charges related to rioting, obstructing government servant from discharging duties and others continue to be pressed against the group.

"I am thankful to the state government for dropping charges of attempt to murder and causing grievous injuries pressed against us.
"We hope to get the acquittal in the case," said Fr Gonsalves while talking to reporters today.