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Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Nov 11: Udupi, Nov 11: Mahiti Seva Samiti NGO has filed an appeal to the government officers and others to hand over the case of Fr Mahesh D'Souza to CBI or COD.

Addressing the gathering, J A Koteyar, president MASS, Karnataka, All India NGO Karnataka, on Monday, November 11, he said, “Mahiti Seva Samiti is an organization that fights for the rights of human beings. It is not based on any caste or religion. It is fighting for human rights since many years. When Johnson Dolfred Castelino, president of MASS Shirva, Praveen Corda, president MASS Kalathu, Conrad Castelino Shirva and Sunil Kabral Shirva spoke to the parishioners of Shirva as well as other churches in the vicinity, they wanted to know the intention of Fr Mahesh D'Souza to kill himself as he did not have any vices nor did any work that is against the society.

“MASS demands that this case should be handed over to CBI immediately. The civilians of Shirva church vicinity are of the opinion that some eminent personalities of the society are involved in the death case of Fr Mahesh D'Souza. So there is a possibility to close this case as suicide. So Mahiti Seva Samiti and the social activists of Shirva village have kept the above demands in front of the government.

"Fr Mahesh is the person who tried to raise his voice against injustice. He has contributed a lot to the society. One might undergo depression and commit suicide. But Mass India and also the people want to know what depression Fr Mahesh was into and who were imposing pressure on him. Kaup circle inspector has been appointed as investigating officer in this case. There is no doubt about his efficiency but he too has some limits upon which he cannot take certain actions. So Fr Mahesh case must be handed over to either CBI or CID," he said.

Conrad Castelino, Shirva, said that he had a conversation with Fr Mahesh two weeks before his death. “Fr Mahesh expressed his grievances to his parents at home before his death. He was under a lot of pressure. We demand higher level of investigation. Justice must be done," he said. 

The appeal which is submitted by MASS also says, "If proper FIR of this case should be done after handing over the case to CID or CBI. If our demands are not met, then MASS and the locals of Shirva and neighbouring villages will hold a huge protest in front of the Udupi DC office.”

The appeal is addressed to prime minister, chief minister, home minister, DGP, DC, SP, MP chikkamagaluru constituency, sub divisional officer Karkal, police circle inspector, Kaup, Human rights commission New Delhi and Bengaluru, provincial SVD Bandara Mumbai.

Stephen Rajesh Pereira, president, MASS, Brahmavar, Praveen Corda, president MASS, Kalathur Kaup, Johnson Castelino, president MASS, Shirva, and Sunil Kabral Shirva were present in the press conference.

It may be recalled, Fr Mahesh was the assistant parish priest and principal of Don Bosco School in Shirva. He was found hanging at his cabin of the school on October 11.

J A Koteyar, president, Mahithi Seva Samithi, Stephen Rajesh Pereira, president, Mahithi Seva Samithi, Brahmavar, Praveen Corda, president, Mahithi Seva Samithi, Kalathur-Kaup, Johnson Castelino, president, Mahithi Seva Samithi, Shirva, Conrad Castelino, Shirva and Sunil Cabral Shirva, were present.