17/01/2016 … Velim mla Benjamin silva has expressed his happeiness over the state governments decision of deciding to withdraw the case of Velim Church attack case from prosecution
It may be noted that the Cuncolim police had earlier filed a charge sheet against 22 persons, including the two Priests — Fr Romano Gonsalves and Fr Lucio Dias — for attempt to murder in the Velim Church attack case
The state government had decided to withdraw the case from prosecution only on a condition that the accused file an undertaking that they will not file any counter proceedings against the state government or any other authority in respect of the case withdrawn.
The government’s decision was brought to the notice of the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Margao Pooja Kavlekar by Assistant Public Prosecutor Shilpa Nagvenkar when she referred to the instructions received from the Director of Prosecution, Shiral S Monteiro to apply before the court for withdrawal of the case from prosecution.
The government’s decision comes around three and half years after then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had announced on the floor of the house to resolve the case amicably.
Velim MLA Benjamin D’Silva had taken up the matter in almost in every Assembly session, only to receive a positive reply from the government.
