Probe on Maharashtra police for torturing priest

The State Minorities Commission in Maharashtra has ordered a probe against a group of police who allegedly manhandled and tortured a Catholic priest in Lonavala last month.

Father Wilfred V Fernandes of St Joseph's primary school claimed that police beat him with belts and confined him in a police lock-up at the Lonavala city.

According to an independent report, Fr Fernandes the manager of the primary school allegedly hit eight-year-old student, Yash Khairnar, with a ruler.

"Next day, on December 12, parents of these students called on me. I said that their wards were punished for unruly behaviour. Some parents told me that beating up a child with a ruler was against the law. I tendered an apology which most parents accepted,'' Fernandes told TOI. "But BJP activists instigated the parents and I went to the police station,'' he said.

He further said, a mob entered the police station and abused him. "The policemen put me in the lock-up and took away my mobile. I removed my robe as I was afraid the mob would rip it off me. The cops took a belt and hit my hand in front of all the people,'' Fernandes said.

Although Fernandes was reluctant to lodge a police complaint, the Catholic Association in Pune and the Catholic Secular Front (CSF) in Mumbai has decided to fight the case. They have demanded action against the policemen.