[1] According to *TARGET GOA* http://www.targetgoa.com/intd-RTI-is-a-potent-weapon-4
Aires Rodrigues: *A girl from my parish complained to her mother that the parish priest had molested her. The mother came to me and we registered an FIR against the parish priest. *What about the FIR against the priest? Where is he now? *It was settled out of court. I HEAR compensation was paid to the victim. The parish priest left the priesthood and I hear he got married and has settled down in Canada. [2] Gabe Menezes' RESPONSE: At that time I had protested Aires' methods against the priest. It now transpires that I was wrong and that if the matter was settled out of Court then I owe an apology. I am sorry I doubted what had taken place and for my resistance at that time. ================== A comment: My dear Gabe, It surely is anyone's right to apologise to anybody else for anything. That is not the issue here. The issue hear is as follows (You tell me if I am wrong): a: Sexual Molestation is a Criminal Act. It CANNOT be "settled out of court" - which has a specific meaning in CIVIL cases. Can it? b: As in the infamous German-girl's case, the Mother CANNOT withdraw charges. c: As the lawyer involved in the filing of the FIR against the Ribandar priest, it is strange that Aires does not know for sure ....if any monies were paid to hush this matter. The question for the "officer of the court" is to ascertain or cause to be ascertained ...IF funds were paid and WHO paid them to WHOM? d: This would be 'obstruction of justice'. Would it not? e: Of course, a question has to be asked: Was there a case before the Courts? What happened to it? Now, I invite you to (at your leisure) read the following; There are questions which Aires promised to answer in 2005! http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2005-January/109444.html Under all Indian laws the prosecution has to prove that the accused is guilty but in the Goa Children's Act under which this case comes as the victim is a minor girl, it is for the accused to prove that he HAS NOTcommitted the alleged crime. http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2005-January/109527.html http://www.colaco.net/1/gca2003.htm good wishes jc
