PANJIM: Judicial Magistrate First Class Mrs. Sarika Faldessai today as a last opportunity directed the Prosecution to produce Father Newton Rodrigues before the Court on 19th July at 10 am.
The Crime Branch officials as directed remained present in Court today and gave details as to why a non-bailable warrant against Father Newton Rodrigues was required. The JMFC directed the Assistant Public Prosecutor Mrs. Tema Narvekar to furnish some further clarifications on the modalities of ensuring that Fr. Newton Rodrigues remains present in Court.
Father Newton Rodrigues the former Parish Priest of Ribandar and now Pastor of St. Bernadette Church at Calgary in Canada has failed to remain present in Court despite summons and even a warrant of arrest issued against him.
If Fr. Newton Rodrigues fails to remain present on July 19th the Court could close the prosecution evidence and allow Adv. Aires Rodrigues to begin with his evidence. Adv. Aires Rodrigues will be examining seven defence witnesses which include Archbishop of Goa Filipe Neri Ferrao and former Chief Minister of Goa Mr. Pratapsingh Rane.
The other option the Court has is to stop the proceedings of the case and pass a judgment acquitting Adv. Aires Rodrigues and 14 others.
The government has over the last seven years been aggressively pursuing this case against Adv. Aires Rodrigues with the State having even challenged before the Sessions Court and later in the High Court, Adv. Rodrigues’s earlier acquittal in the same case.
In 2004 Adv. Aires Rodrigues was leading an agitation demanding action against Fr. Newton Rodrigues for having allegedly molested a 13 year old girl from Ribandar. While Adv. Aires Rodrigues and others were charge sheeted for confronting Fr. Newton Rodrigues, the case filed against Fr.Newton Rodrigues by the mother of the 13 year old girl who was allegedly molested by Fr. Newton Rodrigues was closed after then Governor of Goa Mr. S.C Jamir reportedly intervened to save Fr. Newton Rodrigues from being charge sheeted.
I hope Fr Newton a.k.a Fr NIWTON , will do the decent thing and return to Goa to defend his case.
ReplyDeleteThis case was instigated by him against Aires Rodrigues and others, who are purely defending the accusations.
By his actions and stubborness & intransigence, he is bringing the Christian Church into greater disrepute.
I am sure as Christians and even as Hindus & Muslims,we will forgive him in due course.
"TO ERR IS HUMAN,TO FORGIVE,DIVINE.
But his constant arrogance in the matter is of no help to him.
Many of the defendants wish to put an end to this case and get on with their lives.I am sure Fr Newton wishes to do the same.
This cannot be acheived from his "hideout" or behind the curtains or a Pulpit in Canada.
Lets hope he will do the honourable thing, and appear at the Altar of Justice to clear his name.
BUT HOW WAS HE ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY?
ReplyDeleteFR. NEWTON MUST OWN UP AND SAY HE IS HUMAN AFTER ALL AND SO SUSCEPTIBLE. THERE IS MORE "VALOR" IN ACCEPTING ONES FOLLIES WITH GRACE THAN DISPLAYING FOOLISH ADAMANCE.