CBI to conduct inquiry into fraudulent sale of land by church
Madras High Court’s order
Chennai – The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday stayed an order passed by a single judge of the Court last week, directing the CBI to register a case against CSI Madurai-Ramnad Diocese, Church of South India Trust Association (CSITA), among others, on charges of illegally selling 31.10 acres Government land. There are also allegations about the Church Administrators suppressing the voice of the people who raised questions on their illegal acts. The said land was given to ‘Church of South India (CSI)’ by the Government for constructing houses for women and for religious activities. The Chairman of the Minority Division had demanded action against the illegal transfer of land by Madurai-Ramnad Diocese Church. The Bench noted while admitting the petition that the land given by the Government in 1912 for extending facilities to needy women, was fraudulently sold by the Church management, violating all the rules and regulations. (Editorial Perspective : It would not be wrong if people demanded a probe into church land as in Waqf Board’s lands.)
The petitioner has accused that the properties were sold with the connivance of the Government officers. The amount fetched through sale has been shown as only Rs 1.21 crore when the actual market value is Rs 22 crore. The High Court has directed the CBI to register a case and conduct a probe into such deceitful dealings considering the fundamental rights of the aggrieved parties of just investigations.
Editorial PerspectiveIt shows deceitful activities of church. Please note that the secularists will never say a word about the corrupt happenings in churches. |