Team Goemkarponn
Margao: In a major development, the Margao Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) court on October 30, 2025, acquitted all 19 remaining accused in the Velim Church attack case due to insufficient evidence, bringing closure to a case that spanned over 13 years.
The case dates back to February 25, 2012, when a team of CID officers led by PI Kapil Nayak visited St. Francis Xavier Church, Velim, to collect intelligence on possible election-related disturbances.
Villagers, reportedly agitated after earlier raids by the Income Tax Department and Election Flying Squad, confronted the officers. The confrontation turned violent, and the officers were allegedly attacked by a large mob, resulting in injuries.
Subsequently, police registered a case against 22 individuals, including two priests — Fr. Romano Gonsalves, then Parish Priest of Velim Church, and Fr. Lucio Dias, then Episcopal Vicar of South Goa — under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including rioting, assault on public servants, and unlawful assembly.
The initial charge of attempt to murder (Section 307 IPC) was dropped in 2016 due to lack of evidence.
During the prolonged trial, three of the accused, including Fr. Romano Gonsalves, passed away. The court’s verdict on Thursday acquitted all surviving 19 accused, citing the prosecution’s failure to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.
Reacting to the verdict, Fr. Lucio Dias expressed relief, stating that while “justice was delayed, it has finally been delivered.”
The acquittal brings to an end one of South Goa’s most closely watched cases, which had drawn widespread attention due to its links with the Church and the alleged late-night assault on police personnel.
