Panaji (Goa): In a major relief to the group of people including two Catholic priests, the State government today submitted before the district court a plea withdraw its own application challenging the dropping of charges of attempt to murder and grievous hurt.

A group of 22 people including  two priests – Fr Romanova Gonsalves and Fr Lucio Dias – were charged under various sections of Indian Penal Code for assaulting a group of policemen near a Church in South Goa’s Velim village in the year 2012.

The team of Special Branch including Poilce sub inspector Kapil Naik along with Head Constable Krishnanand Rane and Kuldeep Desai were assaulted outside Velim Church on February 26, 2012.

When case came up for hearing today before South Goa district judge Edgar Fernandes, public prosecutor Subhash Desai submitted that the State government is withdrawing the application which had challenged the decision of lower court to drop charges of attempt to murder and grievous injury against all the accused.

Judicial Magistrate First Class in Margao Ram Prabhudesai had dropped charges of attempt to murder and grievous hurt against the group including both the Priests in November 2016. The State government then had challenged the order before the District Court which came up for hearing today.

The case now would continue to be tried before JMFC Margao as various charges related to rioting, obstructing government servant from discharging duties and others continues to be pressed against the group.

Team TNV