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The Tamil Nadu Police may have ensured that even Kanchi Shankaracharya is not above the law but the Goa Police seem to be hesitant to ensure that a Goa Priest submits himself to the due process of law as any other citizen. With the Ribandar Church molestation case stalled although the investigations are complete the fate of Ribandar Parish Priest Fr. Newton Rodrigues who has allegedly violated not only the spiritual laws but allegedly in breach of the law of the land lies in limbo. The Ribandar Church molestation has come in public focus at a time when the number of molestation and rape cases in the state has been on an alarming rise. All eyes are now on the Contempt of Court petition filed against the Investigation Officer of the case Police Inspector Ezilda D' Souza for not filing the charge sheet, which is expected to come up for hearing before the Panaji Bench of the Bombay High Court later this week. Police Inspector Ezilda D' Souza had informed the Bombay High Court on 16th September that investigation into the alleged Ribandar molestation was in the last stage and that the charge sheet against Fr. Newton Rodrigues was being filed shortly. It may be recalled that a Ribandar 13 year old girl had lodged a complaint on 18th August 2004 alleging that Fr. Newton Rodrigues on the pretext of taking confession took her to a room in the church and molested her by pressing her breasts and thereby abusing and sexually assaulted her. Police registered an F.I.R. under section 354 of the Indian Penal Code and section 8(2) of the new and stringent Goa Children's Act of 2003. Some Ribandar residents have expressed anger that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has interfered in the investigations by directing the police not to file the charge sheet against the Parish Priest Fr. Newton Rodrigues. Chief Minister's intervention is reportedly on political considerations to woo some catholic voters from Ribandar, which will now be part of Manohar Parrikar's Panjim Constituency. Concern has also been expressed on the way the police have dragged their feet in the investigation by leaving the accused priest at large and allowing him to interfere with the evidence and overall investigation. It also been lamented that some sources close to the priest ironically under the guidance of a child rights activist attempted to hush up the matter by attempting to get the victim and the mother to withdraw their complaint two months after it was filed. Aires Rodrigues Ribandar