Siolim couple arrested for ‘conversions’

PANAJI: Mapusa police on Thursday evening arrested a pastor of a Believers’ sect, Domnic D’Souza, and wife Joan from Sodiem, Siolim, based on a complaint of “forcible religious conversions” against the accused.
The couple has been booked on charges of "promoting enmity on the ground of religion" and “deliberate, malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings”.
Domnic is not new to controversy and locals at Sodiem have been objecting to his activities frequently at the 5 Pillars Christian Church.
The villagers had earlier alleged that Domnic was using loudspeakers without permission and was disturbing peace in the village.
He would disturb prayer services at the local Catholic church, villagers had said.
Loudspeakers and other sound system equipment had subsequently been seized by police from Domnic’s prayer house. He had, however, maintained that he had been running prayer activities for nearly two decades at his church.
Domnic did not comment on Thursday as he was being taken away by police.