Ranchi, Feb. 20: A probe committee has been set up by the Ranchi provincial of the Roman Catholic Church to inquire into the “cash scam” involving a Jesuit priest in which more than Rs 2 crore has been allegedly swindled through a networking operation.

Church insiders told The Telegraph that the Jesuit priest, Dharmsheel Kujur, will face strict disciplinary action “once the extent of money involved” is established and all the accounts are drawn up by the probe committee. Authorities said according to the canon law, an errant priest cannot be disrobed or thrown out of the society of Jesus unless the person concerned opts for such a course on his own. However, they stressed that once things are “settled”, Kujur will have to face disciplinary action according to established Church procedures. Insiders said the head of Ranchi provincial, Christopher Lakra, held close-door meeting with Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo, head of the Ranchi archdiocese and briefed him in details of the activities of the Trust India Concept through which public money was siphoned off. Lakra has also expressed regrets over the incident involving a Jesuit priest under his jurisdiction and the manner in which the name of the Church has been dragged into the controversy.

The Church probe comes after the Ranchi district administration set up an inquiry committee on February 18 after hundreds of “victims” gheraoed Manresa House and demanded their money back. Ranchi deputy commissioner Pradeep Kumar told The Telegraph that they were waiting for a report from the committee and action according to the law will be taken once the report is submitted.

The scam has caused a lot of red faces in the 150-year-old Roman Catholic Church at Ranchi. While Cardinal Toppo maintained that a cash swindle involving public money is unheard of in Church echelons, the scam burst even as superior-general of Missionaries of Charity, Sister Nirmala, is visiting her Ranchi birthplace and celebrations are being organised to commemorate the elevation of Archbishop Toppo as cardinal. Church authorities expressed fears that with the Lok Sabha election around the corner, the “scam” was more likely to be raked up by BJP and its units — the RSS, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Vanvasi Kalyan Kendra and Bajrang Dal to get even with the Church and to mobilise all non-Christians, particularly the hardline Hindus.