PANJIM, May 9 -- In a massive relief for Siolim-based Five Pillars Church pastor Dominic D'Souza and his wife Joan Mascarenhas e D'Souza, the High Court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday set aside the externment orders passed against the duo.

Both had filed individual writ petitions praying to quash and set aside externment orders against them.

Pastor Domnic and his wife were externed from the jurisdiction of North Goa for six months with immediate effect, by the North Goa Collector, through an order passed on March 14, 2024, under the provisions of the Goa Maintenance of Public Order and Safety Act, 1988.

They had challenged their externment order before the appellate authority - Chief Secretary. But as the latter delayed the disposal of ...