In illegal sand mining case, the Tamil Nadu police today arrested Syro Malankara Church Pathanamthitta Archdiocese Bishop Samuel Mar Irenios and five priests. Vicar General Fr Shaji Thomas, Fr Jose Chamakala, Fr George Samuel, Fr Jijo James and Fr Jose Kalayil were arrested by Tamil Nadu CB-CID.
However, soon after the arrest, Bishop Samuel Mar Irenios and Fr Jose Chamakala collapsed and was hospitalized. Others were produced in the court and remanded in the sub-jail.
As per reports, the Syro Malankara Church owns about 300 acres of land in Ambasamudram near the Thamirabarani river. Based on the findings, the Madras High Court has directed the CB-CID to arrest the accused. However, the church claimed that the land was leased and that the sand mining was carried out by a contractor. Manuel George, the contractor, was also arrested earlier.
Environmentalists were the first to lodge a complaint against illegal sand mining in the Thamirabarani river. The sub-collector then conducted an inquiry and submitted a report. According to the collector’s report, about 27,700 cubic feet of sand was mined and a fine of Rs 9 crore was imposed. Further, a police officer was also suspended in connection with the incident. Following this, environmental activists approached the High Court with the investigation report.
It was on these findings the court ordered the arrest.
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