Udupi: Action will be taken against those who spread false information and rumours on social media over Fr Mahesh D’Souza’s suicide case, said District Superintendent of Police Nisha James in a press statement.
The SP’s statement was issued following protests by parishioners of Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva.
In the statement, SP Nisha James informed that Augustine B V (52), son of Paul Barboza and Fr Mahesh D’Souza’s uncle had lodged a complaint alleging that his deceased nephew had committed suicide by hanging at the Principal’s office in Don Bosco School between 9:30 pm on October 11 to 1 am on October 12. There were no signs of injury on his body.
As per the complaint lodged, Shirva PSI registered a case no 12/2019, Column 174 CRPC and started an investigation on the case under higher officials of the district police.
Fr Mahesh’s body was sent to KMC Manipal for a post-mortem and later, the body was handed over to the family members of the deceased. Samples from the body have been sent to labs for viscera tests and a final report will be submitted soon.
The investigation found that the deceased Fr. Mahesh D’Souza committed suicide due to personal reasons.
After an evening prayer on November 2, people gathered inside the church with Fr. Denis D’Sa to discuss the case, and the police intervened to prevent the situation from escalating. The police told the gathering that false information and rumours were spread on social media and that they will be prosecuted.