PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):
A PENTECOSTAL pastor, facing 38 counts of fraud in Trinidad had his TT$5 million church torn down by an order of the court last Wednesday.
Pastor Vishnu Lutchmansingh, who has a following of about 15,000 people, built his church three years ago in Cunupia in central Trinidad. However, after running afoul of the law, a demolition gang descended on his church and began tearing it down last week.
Among the many items taken away by court marshals were copies of a book authored by Lutchmansingh titled 'From Poverty to Prosperity' and the pulpit from which he preached.
The demolition gang was acting on the orders of the marshals enforcing a levy on the assets of Lutchmansingh, who failed to pay most of a TT$4 million judgement against him.
The levy was obtained by poultry-producing giant Nutrimix President Shaheed Mohammed.
Just before Christmas 2005, bailiffs sought to enforce the levy against the pastor's church at Chin Chin Road, but he was able to stop the demolition after coming up with TT$750,000 and an agreement to hand over three luxury vehicles.
Lutchmansingh once claimed to be the beneficiary a 900 billion pound sterling estate from a dead American man.
Court marshals, accompanied by bailiffs and police officers, had intended to levy on the pastor's household belongings, but he produced documents stating that he was renting the house which came fully furnished.
But at the church compound, bailiffs spent the day tearing down and carting away a large man-made fountain, red plush carpet, chairs, potted plants, audio equipment, lighting fixtures and the guitar and drum set belonging to the church choir.
The previous Saturday, Lutchmansingh surrendered to Fraud Squad officers after learning there was a warrant for his arrest. He spent a night in a police cell before his bail was taken up.
He later appeared in court in San Fernando, asking that his licensed firearm and passport be returned. His applications were denied by Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington. Lutchmansingh was due to reappear in the Chaguanas Magistrate's Court last Friday.
