Real culprits in Goa desecration cases roaming free: Congress

Citing acquittal of one Francis Pereira, the Congress today said the real culprits behind a series of desecration of idols and religious structures in Goa are roaming free by evading arrest.
"Pereira was acquitted in 11 out of the total 19 cases in which he was chargesheeted. What does this indicate? There is someone else behind this entire scene," Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar told the Legislative Assembly during Zero Hour.
The Goa Police had last July arrested Perira (50) in connection with a series of cases of alleged desecration of Christian religious symbols in South Goa district.
He was chargesheeted in 19 cases out of which he was discharged in 11 cases before framing of charges by local court.

Kavlekar demanded that state government investigate these cases properly.
In his reply, Sudin Dhavalikar, who is heading the ruling benches in absence of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, said the accused was discharged for the want of evidence in these cases.
"But at the same time, we have to take note that the cases of desecration of idols stopped since the time he was arrested," the minister said.
He said police have been maintaining strict vigilance around such religious structures to ensure that they are not targetted.