Panaji: Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant has said that the pastor who was arrested for his involvement in the alleged forced religious conversions, had several cases filed against him including that of a death of a person.
Sawant told reporters on Saturday that the several instances were brought to the notice of the police against Pastor Domnic D’Souza in the past related to forceful religious conversions.
The chief minister said that there was also a case against him wherein a person whom he had administered miracle oil had died.
A pastor and his wife were arrested on Thursday night by Mapusa police after two separate FIRs were filed against them. They were booked for promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion and for indulging in deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings, and also under relevant sections of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act
Sawant said that the State government “fully respects” freedom of religion which is enshrined in the Indian Constitution but will not tolerate forced conversions luring people with money or any other inducements.
The chief minister said that the action against the pastor was taken as per the law and the investigation against him will continue.
