CHENNAI: Kancheepuram police have registered a case against V Devasahayam, who retired as Bishop of Church of South India, Madras Diocese, for alleged misappropriation of foreign funds earmarked for construction of houses for tsunami victims, to the tune of Rs 75 lakh.
Devasahayam, who retired on August 30 after 15 years of service, was booked by the Koovathur police, following a court direction to register a case and probe the allegations made against him.
Devasahayam approached 120 families of Old Nadukkuppam fishing hamlet in Vadapattinam village in Cheyyur block who had lost their houses in the tsunami and offered to build houses for them. Besides, he informed them that the CSI Madras Diocese had adopted that particular hamlet through the government.
A foundation stone was laid on August 5, 2005 and the ceremony was presided over by the then Kancheepuram Collector Venkatesan and other higher officials from the government. But, no efforts were taken by him in the construction of the houses as was promised.
When the affected families enquired with the CSI about the delay, there were told that the funds from abroad had not been received.
The families learnt that Devasahayam had received Rs 75 lakh from the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York.
In this regard, petitions were presented to Chennai and Kancheepuram Police and Kancheepuram Collector in November 2009, but no action was taken.
Meanwhile, the issue was taken up by Dalit Liberation Movement - TN and its State joint general secretary S Karuppaiah raised the issue with Devasahayam in March.
Devasahayam reportedly told Karuppaiah that the funds had come and that he had spent it and dared the latter do whatever he could.
Later, the movement moved the Madras High Court seeking to pass orders to direct the Kancheepuram police to register a case and probe the allegations. A favourable order to this effect was passed and Koovathur police registered a case under sections 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating) of Indian Penal Code on September 29. Further investigations on.
