Denver, Colo., Aug 29, 2019 / 18:00 pm
An Indian court has ruled that Cardinal George Alencherry will stand trial in a case related to controversial land deals in the Syro-Malabar Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly.
The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court ruled Aug. 24 that Alencherry, along with the former financial officer of the archdiocese and a real estate agent will face charges that the cardinal sold archdiocesan land at undervalued prices, for a loss of $10 million.
A court in the Indian state of Kerala initially registered a criminal case against Alencherry in April. The cardinal and his co-defendants filed a plea to dismiss the case, but this week's ruling means the case will continue unless a higher court intervenes.
A spokesman for the Syro-Malabar Church told CNA in July that Alencherry acted in good faith in the allegedly corrupt land deals and has the support of the Vatican.