Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Oct 11: In a massive embarrassment to the people involved in defaming former Urwa parish priest Fr Victor D’Mello, the Urwa police have submitted the B report regarding allegation of 'misappropriation' against the priest.
A private complaint had been filed by an Urwa parishioner in the local court, which was referred to Urwa police station for investigation.
The complainant had alleged that Fr Victor D'Mello, who is currently serving as parish priest of Our Lady of Remedies Church, Kirem, had 'misappropriated ' Rs 11 lac after 'forging' the will of Urwa parishioner Annie Pais, a spinster, and taking her thumb impression soon after she breathed her last on July 31, 2010.
Speaking to Daijiworld, Urwa SI Raveesh said, "We conducted detailed investigation into this case and found that the allegations made by the complainant were false and not valid. In accordance with the late Annie Pais' wish, the priest and the parish committee built an adoration centre and displayed her name on the marble. The parish committee needed more than Rs 11 lac for this adoration centre, and the remaining money was collected from other sources. So as per our findings, there was no misappropriation of money. Hence, we submitted B report to the court for further action."
Based on the complaint filed by Winnie Pinto, the niece of Annie Pais, a case had also been filed against Irene Lobo, an 84-year-old spinster who was a close friend of Annie Pais and was living with her for during her last years. It was alleged that Irene had transferred the amount of Rs 11 lac from Annie Pais' account to Fr D'Mello's account. Kevin Martis, the then parish council vice-president, Jenevive Mathias, the then parish council secretary, both of whom were witnesses to the second will of Annie Pais, were also accused in the case.
Based on the complaint, a report was published in section of media some months back that created anxiety among the parishioners of Urwa and also the faithful of the diocese. Investigation however reveals that the allegation may have been made purely to settle scores or slander the image of the priest.
Reacting to the development, Fr Victor D'Mello told Daijiworld, "Finally the truth has prevailed. The findings of the investigation prove that I did not do anything wrong. My heart knew this all along, right from the time the complaint was filed,”
"I am extremely pained by the allegations against me. Some people tried to defame my name. God will forgive them. I pray that no one has such mentality. God will judge everything and He will decide who is right and who is wrong. I have dedicated everything to the Almighty. The people and my community know me very well. They do not believe any false things about me. I am not interested in taking any legal action or revenge against the complainant or those who tried to defame me. I will leave everything in the hands of God," Fr Victor added.
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