NEW DELHI (INDIA)
UCANews
August 7, 2018
Bishop Prasad Gallela of Cuddapah says allegations are false and he welcomes the chance to prove his innocence
A Catholic bishop in southern India is facing multiple court cases over an accusation that he misappropriated diocesan funds to support his “wife” and teenage son, but the bishop has denied the charges.
Bishop Prasad Gallela of Cuddapah (presently Kadapa) has been served notice to appear on Aug. 18 before Lok Adalat, a government-approved forum, to amicably settle cases pending in courts.
He is accused of misappropriating millions of rupees from diocesan social welfare funds to support his “wife” and 18-year-old son by cheating the church’s administrative systems.
Two lay Catholics, 40-year-old Mesa Ravi Kumar and 65-year-old Byreddy Chinnappa Reddy, jointly moved a criminal complaint against the prelate two months ago.
A court in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh state asked Bishop Gallela to appear before it on Aug. 2 but the bishop’s lawyers pleaded for more time and the case was moved to the last week of August.
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