Bishop Niranjan Sualsingh of Sambalpur in Odisha has urged his faithful to join in prayer for a diocesan priest arrested following a motorcycle accident. The Bishop’s November 11 circular asked Catholics and people of goodwill “to keep Father Paul Adapoor in their prayers, that he may be strengthened by faith and delivered from his present trials.”
Expressing deep concern, the Bishop wrote, “It is with great sadness that I inform you about an unfortunate incident involving Fr. Paul Adapoor, the Parish Priest of Meghpal Parish.” On November 9 at around 2:00 p.m., Fr. Paul was returning from Sambalpur to Meghpal when his vehicle was involved in an accident near Hiro village, under the jurisdiction of Jujumura Police Station. A motorcyclist, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, collided with Fr. Paul’s vehicle and died at the scene.
Following the accident, a crowd gathered at the scene. In the ensuing tension, Fr. Paul was physically assaulted by some members of the mob. The police intervened promptly, rescued him, and took him to Jujumura Police Station for his safety and to complete the necessary legal formalities. A case has been registered under Sections BNS 281 and 106/1, but regrettably, Section 105 has also been falsely added. Due to this additional charge, Fr. Paul was denied bail and was sent to Sambalpur Jail on November 10.
“We are in close contact with the concerned authorities and are taking all necessary legal steps, including applying for bail at the District Court. We remain confident that truth and justice will prevail and that Fr. Paul will be released soon,” the Bishop assured.
