Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: Chief Secretary, Govt of Goa who is the appellate authority have rejected the appeal filed by Siolim-based Five Pillars Church Pastor Domnic D’Souza and wife Joan against their externment paving way for their externment from North Goa.
High Court had on April 17 directed the appellate authority i.e. the Chief Secretary to dispose of appeals filed by Joan and Domnic D’Souza challenging their externment, as expeditiously as possible and in any case, latest by April 26.
North Goa Collector has on March 14, 2024 issued an order externing them from the jurisdiction of North Goa district for a period of six months, with immediate effect, under the provisions of the Goa Maintenance of Public Order and Safety Act, 1988. Externment refers to the prohibition of persons from residing in a specific locality.
Additionally, if they leave the state of Goa, they must inform the authorities within 10 days of their departure. Upon their return to the state, they are mandated to report their arrival within 10 days to the nearest police station.
It can be recalled that earlier in the month of January, Goa Police had arrested Pastor Dominic D’Souza on charges of alleged involvement in black magic and religious conversion activities, following a complaint by Vadivel B, a resident of Tamil Nadu currently residing in Curti-Ponda.
D Souza was arrested by Mapusa Police for being involved in conversion and black magic and an offence had been registered u/s 153-A, 295-A , 506 (ii) R/w 34 IPC , Sec 3,4,7 of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act 1954.
This was third offence registered against him on similar sections and five more offences in different section are already registered. In total eight offences are registered against him.
