Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)
Mangalore, Jun 27: Hours after St Aloysius College (SAC) management demolished the house at Patrao Lane in Karangalpady, John Baptist, who was its occupant, filed a complaint against Fr Francis D Almeida, Fr Cyril D'Mello, another priest and 30 to 40 others person, alleging them of trespassing on his property, forcibly demolishing the house and threatening and assaulting him.
The complaint, filed in Bunder police station states on Thursday June 26, "I (Baptist) am a painter by profession and living with my two daughters, Savitha and Josmin Melita, at Patrao Lane in Karangalpady. I had also filed a civil case over disconnection of electricity in my house. As the case is in the court, the electricity department restored the power.
"On Thursday June 26 at around 3:30 pm when I was at home, Fr Cyril D'Mello, Fr Francis D Almeida and another priest along with 40 people forcibly entered my compound bringing along a bulldozer and other equipment. When I questioned them for trespassing on my property they took me away and tied me to a tree and the bulldozer began demolishing my house. I started to scream and pleaded with them not to demolish my house," the complaint states.
The complaint states that Fr Cyril D'Mello, Fr Francis D Almeida and another priest 'threatened' him with dire consequences and also pushed his daughters when they came to question about the incident. "My daughters were publicly insulted by this," Baptist stated.
"Though my daughters and I pleaded and begged with them, they did not pay heed. I am now on the streets. I do not have a house to live. All my assets, TV, fridge, laptop and cupboard were destroyed; they also stole my valuable assets like gold and Rs 35, 000 cash. I have incurred a loss of approximately Rs 20 lac. I urge the police to take action against Dr Cyril D'Mello, Fr Francis D Almeida and the other priest along with the 40 persons who were with them," the complaint states.
Based on Baptist's complaint, the Bunder police registered an FIR under IPC sections 143, 147, 148, 447, 342, 323, 354, 207, 395, 427, 455 and 149, and sections 2 (A) and 2 (B) under Karnataka Prevention of Destruction and Loss of Property Act (1981).