Dears, Whether this is a frame up against the priest for some other reason or, the rather unlikely event of it being the truth in this case, can only be deternmined by a DNA test.
The Herald has ended its report thus: "When contacted late night, Inspector General of Police Kishan Kumar said, "All this doesn't look right. We are trying to find out why the incident has come to light now. I am looking into the matter." According to other newspapers the woman is 36 years old, lived in a flat/apartment, became an unwed mother in February 2007, is now married to a Greek man .... and the rape is supposed to have occurred on 08 June, 2006 [more than 18 months ago]. I do not know what medical examination of a woman who has borne a child and has been married for quite some time would reveal about the alleged rape after 18 months. Such information is virtually "revealing the identity of the victim" of sexual offence that is prohibited by Indian law. I wonder if the many vocal women's organisations will take up this issue of the breach of law, whether the alleged rape is proved or not. The NT identifies the priest as "native of Kunjebettu, Udupi, Karnataka", who "was attending to the ailing mother of the rape victim" [note NOT "alleged" rape victim] and the woman "was in her apartment" [not "home"] and "is now married to a Greek national" Whether rightly or wrongly, the priest stands defamed by the newspapers. Sufficient leads are given as to his identity through mention of his work place, native place, non-Diocesan order, etc. The GT report banner headlines report on front page identifes the complainant as "36 years old woman" and the accused as "35 year old priest affiliated to Mapusa and Xellim-Canacona Monastary" and from "Udupi-Karnataka". The alleged crime scene is "her flat". The opening disclaimer "Strange and shocking it may seem." would rightly describe the positioning of the report rather than the allegation by the said woman! The Herald has carried a page 3 report which is produce verbatim below. It seems to have some sense of balance in an era when senstionalism is the rule rather than the exception. When you put the words "35 years old, priest, Mapusa and Xelli, Monastary and Udupi" together it is not difficult to find who the priest from the Monastary at Peddem-Mapusa is. There are very few young priests in that religious order. The words "flat, Karaswada-Mapusa, 36 years old, sick mother, hospitalised, child born in February 2007, and Greek husband" do not leave the identity of the rape victim,supposedly protected by Indian law, to any doubt. Not eveyone marries a Greek national. Anyone marrying as late in life as 35 years is the talk of the town ...specially if she is an unwed mother!! Goa is not a metropolis where one can be incognito. Everyone knows everyone else and her uncle. Some time back, one English newspaper had carried a slanderous report about the parents of a girl hacking her to death with a "coito", but now the police case is that it was her sister-in-law's paramour who did it. Many people unnecessarily doubted the aged parents from Nachinola only because of the police "leak" and the newspaper front page report. I wonder what the reporters/editors would do if someone talked losely about their parents or siblings, if they have any. We need to show some responsibility. Mog asundi. Miguel Rape case against priest BY HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 2 - The Women's Police Station in Panjim Saturday registered a rape case against a priest, who is shockingly alleged to have fathered a one-year-old child. Even as a top police officer said the priest had been arrested, the same could not be ascertained before going to the press. It is however known that the priest (from a certain religious order), who hails from Udupi, Karnataka, was serving in an institution in Mapusa. The woman, who has charged the priest of allegedly raping her, hails from Karaswada in Mapusa. Sources said the woman bore a child on February 14, 2007 and has held the priest responsible for the birth of the baby. When contacted late night, Inspector General of Police Kishan Kumar said, "All this doesn't look right. We are trying to find out why the incident has come to light now. I am looking into the matter." -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-. Miguel Braganza, S1 Gracinda Apts, Rajvaddo, Mhapsa 403507 Goa Ph 9822982676 [EMAIL PROTECTED] -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
