Media release

Mangaluru, Feb 1: Diocese of Mangaluru has denied the land encroachment charges leveled against Bishop of Mangaluru. A section of the press had carried a report on this issue. In the light of this development, the diocese has issued the following statement.

“The properties are held by Lord Bishop of Diocese of Mangaluru and its institutions legally. We have not encroached either any government land or committed any illegal acts. St Joseph Asylum has filed eviction case against Valerian Texeira and Victor Pais and the same is pending in the court of law. Hence to defame us with the false allegations, a complaint was lodged with the Upa Lokayukta on 28.01.2018. During investigation, it was found that there is no substance in the allegations and the Upa Lokayukta held that he has no jurisdiction in the matter. Order of the Lokayukta is as follows:-

“This complaint is filed against Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza in Lord Bishop, Mangalore Diocese Bishop House, Kodialbail, Mangalore D.K. Dist. Since Respondent being private party Lokayukta institution has no jurisdiction to take any action.

 Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza 

"However having regard to number of people involved in this complaint and having heard their grievances, it appears that they have been residing in the Property in their occupation since several decades. They claim that lands for which they are occupying are the government lands and they are sought to be illegally evicted by the Respondent,"

"It is only for considering as to whether the land so acquired by the complainants are government lands or whether the complainants have any right for the same or whether the district administration has any alternative provision to protect the interests of the complaints without invading the private rights of the Lord Bishop. With this background, assistant commissioner (AC) Mangalore sub Division and tahsildar Mangaluru Taluk have been asked to verify records relating to this issue and submit report by within 20 days. AC Mangaluru sub Division and tahsildar Mangaluru are impleaded as R2 and 3 call on 17.02.2018”.

"What Lokayukta has ordered is that whether the land occupied by the complainant is a government land and whether they have got any right for the same. Hence enquiry is actually against the complainants and they have to prove their rights. Inspite of the same, in some of the media, false information was published saying that Lokayukta has ordered for enquiry against the Bishop. There is no enquiry against the Bishop regarding illegal encroachment. No such enquiry is ordered by the Upa Lokayukta against Bishop. Lord Bishop has required documents regarding the lands held by him. On the other hand, Upa Lokayukta has upheld the rights of the Bishop. The complainants are occupying the land provided by the Diocese of Mangalore on humanitarian consideration for their use and occupation on a meager rentals. Hence allegations against the Lord Bishop of Mangalore is absolutely false."

Fr William Menezes, public relations officer of Mangaluru diocese has issued this statement on behalf of the dicocese.