Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has registered case against a bishop, property secretary and others for giving church property on lease at a throw away rate in Pachmarhi. Director General of Police, EOW, Upendra Jain said a complaint was filed in which it was alleged that Jabalpur Bishop PC Singh abused his power and gave his power of attorney to the then property secretary MK Singh.

PC Singh was to take care of the property of Jabalpur diocese. The property situated in Pachmarhi comes under Bhopal diocese. MK Singh (now dead) gave the church property spread across more than 1 lakh square feet in Pachmarhi to the owner of Satpura Resort Private Limited Pramod Puri on lease rent of Rs 12,500 per month.

The property is situated in the main market and the rent is much more. A building already existed there. The Bishop did not have the power to give the property on rent but he forged documents and rented the land. The preliminary investigations revealed that the two church officials benefited from the amount given by Puri.

The police have registered the case against PC Singh, MK Singh and owner of Satpura Resort Private Limited Pramod Puri under Sections 406,420, and 120-B of IPC. Further investigation is underway.