Haryana: Court ruling in case of desecrated church

After a battle lasting several years, the community of Ambala Cantonment has secured justice for an incident of desecration and vandalism that took place on Christmas Eve 2021. The resilience of the local community and the solidarity shown by other religious groups proved decisive. ‘May this ruling reaffirm the value of mutual respect between different communities.’

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - After a lengthy four-year legal process in India, the court has finally handed down a verdict in the case of the desecration of a Christian place of worship, the Catholic Church of the Holy Redeemer in Ambala Cantonment, in the state of Haryana.

On 9 March, the two defendants, Sandeep Kumar and Ravinder Singh, were sentenced to five years and six months’ imprisonment for a series of offences under the Indian Penal Code, including incitement to hostility, trespass, damage to a place of worship and vandalism.

The incident dates back to Christmas Eve 2021, when two individuals illegally entered the church compound at night by climbing over the entrance gate. Within an hour, they committed seriously offensive acts: they urinated at the entrance, destroyed the Christmas decorations and toppled a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, approximately one metre seventy centimetres tall, desecrating it before fleeing.

The entire incident was captured on CCTV, a decisive factor in launching the investigation. The parish priest, Fr Patras Mundu, immediately reported the incident the following day, enabling the police to identify and arrest those responsible within three days. Despite the swiftness of the investigation, however, the legal proceedings dragged on for years, requiring determination and perseverance.

Fr Mundu pursued the case with perseverance, supported by a legal team comprising solicitors Sneha Gill and Amarjeet Singh. The priest emphasised that the verdict represents not only a legal victory but also a strong signal against all forms of religious desecration. “The verdict,” he explained, “shows that the law is capable of protecting the dignity of places of worship and punishing those who violate them.”

Bishop Ignatius Mascarenhas, Bishop Emeritus of Simla, also welcomed the court’s decision, describing it as a vindication of justice and a warning to anyone intending to commit acts that disturb social harmony. He highlighted how the ruling not only holds the guilty parties accountable but also reaffirms the value of mutual respect among different religious communities.

The bishop also recalled the strong reaction of the community in the aftermath of the incident. Upon learning of the incident, he convened a meeting of Christian leaders which led to the organisation of a silent torchlight procession. The initiative, conceived as a gesture of prayer and reflection, turned into a moment of great interfaith solidarity: people of different faiths spontaneously joined the procession, creating a powerful image of unity and shared purpose.

Edwin P., chairman of the parish council, described the incident as a serious attack on the sanctity of the place and the religious sentiments of the community. He praised Fr Mundu’s leadership, emphasising how his determination, combined with a deep faith, had served as a guiding light throughout the process.

The court’s ruling is now seen as a clear and unequivocal message: any act of desecration or offence against places of worship will be prosecuted with firmness. At the same time, the case highlights the importance of resilience and trust in the judicial system.