Slap criminal case on CSI Bishop, directs HC Bench

P Krishnaswamy | EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE |Madurai, January 28

The White Collar Offender - CSI-DMR Bishop Christopher Asir

PROPERTY SCAM
Petitioner S Christopher Salmond of Pasumalai was
seeking a direction for an investigation into a
property scam "involving white collar offenders
posing as religious heads, transferring properties,
illegally, which only a CB-CID inquiry would bring to light"

THE Inspector of Police, central crime branch, Madurai was directed by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday to register a case of criminal breach of trust against the Church of South India Bishop of Madurai Ramanathapuram diocese. Christopher Asir.

Justice V Periyakaruppiah hearing a petition by S Christopher Salmond (80) of Pasumalai. directed the inspector to investigate and register a case on the basis of the petitioner's complaint dated August 2. last year and December 9. last year if cognizable offences had been committed.

The petitioner was seeking a direction for an investigation into a property scam "involving white collar offenders posing as religious heads, transferring properties, illegally, which only a CB-CID inquiry would bring to light".

He said that on May 15. 1913, seven acres of land at Ratchanyapuram in Tallakulam village was assigned to the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mission, the predecessor of the CSI by the (then) District Collector with certain conditions — one among them being that the land should be used for professional purposes only and not be sold. The present worth of the land was around Rs. 20 Crore. The Board of Commissioners transferred the property, along with other assets to the Madurai — Ramanathapuram diocese of CSI which formed an association called the CSI Trust Association (CSITA) to manage the properties and it was registered on September 26.1947.

On December 31. 1973. the land was transferred to CSITA and subsequently brought under the administrative control of the diocese. The CSITA management committee had granted power of attorney to two persons, including the Bishop (Christopher Asir) to enable them to sell the property.
Petitioner had averred that the present bishop Christopher Asir secretary of CSITA Pauline Sathayamoorthy treasurer Kasthuri and moderator Suganthar were involved in a criminal conspiracy and sold the government assigned land fraudently.
The petition was forwarded to the crime branch inspector who summoned him on November 2, last year But no action had been taken so far.