The bail application for Pastor Dominic D'Souza, who was arrested on allegations of Religious Conversion and Black Magic, is scheduled for tomorrow, January 3. "The matter has been heard. We have made strong submissions and the bail plea will be heard tomorrow", said Mapusa PI, Shitakant Nayak. Currently admitted to the hospital after complaining of chest pain following his arrest, D'Souza awaits a decision on his release.
Mapusa Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Jivba Dalvi revealed that the arrest took place early Monday morning based on a complaint filed by Vadivel B, son of Balasubramaniam, a Tamil Nadu native residing in Curti-Ponda.
An FIR has been registered against Pastor D'Souza, his wife Joan Mascarenhas, and unidentified members of the Five Pillars Church, Sodiem-Siolim, under Sections 153-A, 295-A, and 506 (ii) read with 34 IPC. Additionally, Sections 3, 4, and 7 of The Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act 1954 have been invoked.
This marks the third offence registered against Pastor D'Souza under similar sections, with six more offences under different sections already on record, bringing the total to nine.
According to Vadivel's complaint, on December 31, around 7:10-7:15 pm, he visited the Five Pillars Church for mass. Upon entering, Pastor D'Souza and his wife questioned the purpose of his visit. As a Hindu, Vadivel was told to visit the church office first, leaving behind his Hindu articles before being allowed to attend mass. The complaint further alleges that Pastor D'Souza's wife used water, claiming to "clean" Vadivel.
The bail hearing outcome will determine Pastor D'Souza's immediate future in light of these serious allegations.