Jalandhar diocese has come up confidently in the frame defending Fr. Madassery, who has been accused on a case about a huge amount of money being found with him. The diocese has elegantly clarified in a statement released recently that “All are aware of the existence of the group of companies, under the name of ‘Sahodaya’, for the supply of textbooks and smart boards for our schools, for the training and employment of security personnel for our institutions, for construction of schools and churches etc.” The diocese reiterated that “These companies are not run by the diocese. They are ‘partnership’ companies with some priests, who belong to our diocese, as partners with due permission. It is within the ambit of the law. The accounts are audited and income tax is paid in advance.”
As per the statement released, the Jalandhar diocese has emphasized that “The profits from these companies are used mainly for social and charitable services such as widow pension, a monthly stipend for every family with a disabled member, scholarship for deserving students, medical aid for the sick and so on.” The release highlighted that “Sahodaya had just finished collecting the money from the sale of books to the 70 odd schools in the Diocese. It had already deposited 14crores in the bank and the balance amount of 16 crores and 65 lakhs were to be deposited on the 29th March 2019.” The diocese clarified that “The employees of South Indian Bank, Jalandhar, were counting the money to deposit the same in the Bank. The staff and the guard of the Bank were there to take the money to the South Indian Bank to be deposited.”
The Diocese underlined that “at this point, around 40-50 people armed with pistols and AK 47 without any search warrant trespassed in the priest’s residence and forcibly took away approximately 16crores, 65 lakhs. They abducted him from his residence at gunpoint.” The press release highlights that “None of the local police were informed about this raid. After interrogating him for many hours at Khanna police station, he was released at 5 am on 30th March 2019.”
The press release focuses that “The Khanna police authorities have presented 9crores 66lakhs to Income Tax authorities as the amount they collected. Six crores and 65 lakhs have vanished in their hands!” Complaints have been forwarded by email to Chief Justice, Haryana and Punjab High Court, Chief Minister, Punjab, DIG Ludhiana and other senior police officials. Sahodaya is waiting for action to be taken.
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