After 7 yrs of harassing Aires Rodrigues and 14 others, Fr Newton seeks to withdraw his 2004 complaint 2011-06-23
The former Parish Priest of Ribandar Fr. Newton Rodrigues currently Pastor of St. Bernadette Church at Calgary in Canada today sought to withdraw the complaint filed by him in 2004 against Adv. Aires Rodrigues and 14 others. He said he had forgiven Aires Rodrigues and the rest of the respondents. He also said that Adv Rodrigues should not file any case for defamation or damages against him. Adv. Amit Palekar appearing on behalf of Father Newton Rodrigues today submitted before Panaji Judicial Magistrate First Class Mrs. Sarika Faldessai an application signed by Father Newton Rodrigues seeking withdrawal of the case. After Adv. Rodrigues strongly opposed the application filed by Father Newton Rodrigues, the Judge has fixed the matter on 30th June for the arguments on the application moved by Father Newton Rodrigues while stating that meanwhile the proceedings of the case will continue. Adv. Aires Rodrigues strongly objected to the contents of an affidavit filed by Father Newton Rodrigues today along with the application to withdraw the complaint. Father Newton Rodrigues in his affidavit stated that though the alleged incident of trespassing into the church corridor in 2004 had actually happened he has now forgiven Adv. Aires Rodrigues and the other accused.and that Adv Rodrigues should not file any case for defamation or damages against him. Adv. Rodrigues today told the court that he does not need forgiveness from Father Newton Rodrigues and that he would prove his innocence beyond doubt in Court. Adv. Rodrigues drew the attention of the court to the ordeal that he and 14 others including a 80 year old widow had to face over the last seven years due to this false and malicious case filed by Father Newton Rodrigues. The Court today completed the cross examination of Old Goa Police Sub Inspector H.L.Hanshakutti who had initially investigated the case. On being cross examined by Adv. Aires Rodrigues for over an hour PSI Hanshakutti today told the court that an F.I.R was registered at the Old Goa Police Station in August 2004 against Father Newton Rodrigues for having allegedly molested a 13 year old girl. Police Inspector Braz Menezes who later investigated the case at the Crime Branch will depose in Court on June 28th as the last prosecution witness. The Court has already issued a warrant of arrest against Father Newton Rodrigues for not being present in court despite being summoned. It was on Fr. Newton Rodrigues’s complaint that Adv. Aires Rodrigues and 14 other Ribandar residents were charge sheeted for trespassing into the church corridor and disturbing a church committee meeting. 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 was closed after then Governor of Goa Mr. S.C Jamir reportedly intervened to save Fr. Newton Rodrigues from being charge sheeted. http://www.targetgoa.com/newsd-After-7-yrs-of-harassing-Aires-Rodrigues-and-14-others-Fr-Newton-seeks-to-withdraw-his-2004-complaint-2532 COMMENT: nota bene - this was a copy and paste job; Fr Newton is obviously, indeed, a magnanimous fellow, wish there were more priests like him. Aires should count himself lucky - the good priest was on the verge of coming back to Goa to testify. Aires could have found himself in a cauldron! -- DEV BOREM KORUM Gabe Menezes.
